Categories: HOME IMPROVEMENT

Basic Solar Landscape Lighting Secrets Professionals Use Today

Solar-powered yard lighting is a great money-saving option for the homeowner looking to add some pizzazz to the yard. Unlike the hardwired type of gardening lights, you do not need to worry about wiring diagrams. In addition, the multitude of creative solar landscape lights throws open the gates to whimsical yard scapes only your imagination can limit. If you are ready to get rid of the old energy hogs that need to have replacement bulbs installed at the drop of a hat or raindrop, get ready to investigate the wild world of solar lighting. You may be surprised to learn that you can light up your yard as well as any professional — perhaps even better.

Choosing the Right Type of Solar Lighting

The Colorado State University identifies solar garden lighting as a sustainable solution for those concerned about decreasing light pollution. It is here that the versatility of solar landscape lights truly shines.

Ambient lighting. Solar-powered lights placed in faux rocks, artistically designed stepping-stones and whimsical figurines provide the type of illumination that tastefully emphasizes the presence of flowerbeds and garden paths.
Spotlighting. A tried and true landscape feature, the spotlight directs the eye’s attention to a highlight in the garden. This may be a fountain, a tree, a statue or any other focal point. In bigger yards, numerous focal points create the backdrop for a larger lighting scheme that relies primarily on solar-powered spotlights.
Functional lighting. Steps, walkways and driveways need to be illuminated for safety after dark. Choose light fixtures that cast their glow downward so that the majority of the light falls on the walkway.

Dealing with Problematic Landscape Areas

Professionals know that while a solar light does not need manual charging, an overhanging tree or overgrown bush will greatly diminish the ability of the photocells to charge throughout the day. Other problem areas may lurk in your yard.

Insect-prone areas. My solar landscape lights are a favorite hangout for brown widow spiders. Since these arachnids are quite social, the number of egg sacs fastened to the light-giving areas can get rather large. If you know that your yard attracts a certain type of insect, be on the lookout for debris and webs that might reduce the lighting capacity of your fixtures and call for regular cleaning.
Beneath the birds’ favorite trees. When birds eliminate onto your solar stepping-stones, the odds are good that the droppings gradually cover up the photocells. If you must place solar lighting right beneath the tree or shrub the birds in your yard seem to love, be sure to wipe down the photocells weekly.
Sprinkler area. Hard water stains and landscape irrigation go hand in hand. As any water that comes in contact with your landscape lights evaporates, the mineral deposits left behind are hard water spots. To keep the solar light fixtures looking great and the photocells working at capacity, clean the fixtures frequently with a soap scum and hard water stain remover. In a pinch, a multipurpose cook top cleaner will also do the trick.

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