There are definite advantages to using exterior solar lights. In fact, the advantages often outweigh disadvantages. As solar lighting is perfected within the next few years, they will certainly become the preference for most outdoor lighting.
One of the biggest advantages of exterior solar lights is that there are no electrical wires. There is no need to have an electrician present to rewire your electrical system or to have the yard dug up. This is a front end advantage, but equally as important is if you are using solar lights in your landscaping there is no worry about digging into or damaging buried wires when you plant. If you decide to add a small pool to your landscape design removing the solar lights and replacing them is as easy as pulling up the lights and moving them to a new location.
If you make an error in placement of solar lights, the remedy is simple. However, with electric lights once the lights are in place you are then forced to work around the layout. Moving electrical lighting would require an electrician and would add unnecessay expense. With the solar lights, again, it is as simple as pulling up the landscape lights and placing them where desired. In areas that may need more light, it is far easier to add a solar light or two than it would be with electric lighting and far less expensive.
Solar lights come in a range of quality, from the cheaper plastic framed lights to more expensive metal or wood light cases. At the present time, it is safe to say that you get what you pay for.
The cost of installing solar lights is the cost of the lights themselves. Anyone can install the lights. In most cases it is a matter of pushing the stake at the end of the post into the ground. And, in some cases you may not want to keep the lights in the yard as a part of the landscape all year round. Some prefer to put the lights out in the spring and summer to help accentuate the foliage or to line a garden path. However, in the winter you may prefer that the lights be brought in if the garden loses its floral appeal. With solar lights, the possibilities are endless.
Today many house numbers or mailboxes with numbers are placed between the city sidewalk and the road. With solar lighting there is no problem lighting the numbers on the mailbox. Many companies offer solar lights aroudn house numbers that can be placed on the side of the mailbox. While the postman may not arrive after dark, it would be helpful for someone trying to locate your house, especially in case of emergency.
Another advantage of solar lights is added light to decks or as a front column light. Again, no electrical wiring is required. The styles of deck lights, porch lights and column lights has greatly improved in recent years, as have the quality.
If there is a disadvantage to installing solar lights as opposed to electric, it is in the brightness of the light that is emitted. Even today most solar lights purchased through retail outlets give off a dim light and most used in landscaping projects are no more than three feet high. The best LED light we have discovered for solar lighting gives off 20 watt light.
For landscapes, paths and sidewalks solar lights are a good solution and have cost saving benefits.
