What does LED mean?

LED stands for light-emitting diode. An LED contains a small semiconductor that lights up when a current is applied to it. It operates much differently than standard incandescent or fluorescent bulbs which use filaments and gases to create light. Instead an LED light emits light when electricity passes through the semiconductor.

Advantages

LED bulbs last much longer than regular light bulbs, more than 100,000 hours when used in conjunction with solar power, compared to 1,000 hours for incandescent bulbs.

Other advantages include:

Require very little maintenance and use much less energy
Provide a better light over incandescent lighting
Do not heat up as they use much less wattage, making for a safer bulb
Are able to light up smaller space because of their size and are shock and vibration resistant
Less prone to breakage
Do not contain mercury or other environmentally hazardous materials

Different Types of LEDs

There are many different types of LED lights, including bubble LEDs, group structure LEDs and large bubble LED light fixtures. The type of LED light you require depends on the space you are lighting and the amount of light you want in the area.

Get on Board

LED lighting is quickly growing in popularity due to their incredibly low energy usage and minimal maintenance costs. Using low voltage lighting in combination with a solar array will result in completely free power after the initial purchase and installation. In order to operate at their best the LED light systems have to be integrated with each other properly, otherwise the system may fail long before the LED lights have met the end of their lifespan. By having a professional make sure that your lighting system is set up properly you can ensure that your lights last you a long, long time.

Get a Professional

Choosing an experienced, dependable solar lighting and LED expert will make all the difference in helping you create a quality lighting system that requires little maintenance and no ongoing costs.

Dependable and Durable

LEDs cost much less over their lifetime than traditional bulbs, because they consume less energy and also last up to 100 times longer. Costs to keep LED light fixtures operational is a fraction of the amount of money spent on regular lighting.

LEDs do not contain hazardous mercury and since they last longer are able to contribute less to landfills.

LED lighting is able to offer brighter light, meaning that less light fixtures are required.

Why LED?

The main benefits of LED lighting include: longer lifespan, significant energy savings, instant light (no warm up), better and brighter light output, safer and durable with no need for hazardous disposal.

There are many places where LED lighting can be taken advantage of including outdoor solar lighting, street lights and parking lot lights. Virtually anywhere light is needed a fixture can be installed that uses LED bulbs.

LED Lifespan

Unlike incandescent light an LED light does not suddenly burn out, it simply gets less bright over time. In a solar lighting system LED lights will go beyond their usual 100,000 hours. In comparison an incandescent or fluorescent bulb rarely makes it past 10,000 hours without being noticeably dimmer.

LED Lighting System Explained

Like most lighting systems, an LED lighting system includes the following elements: a light source (LED bulbs) a ballast (often called a driver for LED lighting systems) and a luminaire (fixture).

LED lights are particular in their electrical polarity, and reversing the voltage can actually damage them. Since they use such a low voltage any small increases can result in significant changes to the current. LEDs are able to be driven at different currents for varying light output. Operating an LED light at a higher output than the manufacturer’s recommendation can reduce the lifespan of the LED.

LED drivers work much like a ballast in discharge lamps and works to control the current travelling through the LED. The driver must be properly matched to the LED to ensure maximum efficiency.

The effectiveness of the luminous intensity for an LED is measure in terms of foot-candles or candelas. Since luminous intensity depends much on the angle the LED is viewed at so careful calculation is needed to ensure that the appropriate level of light is installed.