Solar lighting is quite simplistic and involves the following components:

• Case
• Solar Cell Panel
• Controller Board
• LED Light
• Batteries (usually AA NiCad)
• Photo Resistor
• Diode

The solar cell panel is able to create up to 0.45 volts and various amounts of current. The amount of current relies on the size of the panel and the amount of sunlight received. Most often in residential outdoor solar lighting there will be four solar cell panels which are tied together, thus able to produce 1.8 volts and up to 100 milliamps.

The current generated by the solar cells travels by wire to the battery through a diode. The diode prevents the current from going back to the solar cell. When the sun is out, the battery charges and at night the battery powers the light. The photo resister is what controls when the light is turned on and off.

The power from the battery is sent through the controller board which takes information from the photo resister to determine whether it is time to turn on the light. The battery can operate the LED light for 8-12 hours.

Most solar outdoor lighting uses LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, because they are long lasting and use very little energy to power, meaning that they use less energy and require less sunlight to power than a traditional bulb.

Solar lights are best placed in areas that receive a fair amount of sunlight; otherwise they may not get enough energy from the sun to stay on at night. If the lights are placed in areas that are shady or receive less light then the lights may not be operational when you need them.

Once the lights are installed an occasional adjustment to the angle of the solar cell as well as cleaning off the panels is all that’s needed to keep the lights working their best.

How Solar Landscape Lights Work

Solar lighting is quite simplistic and involves the following components:

• • Case
  • Solar Cell Panel
  • Controller Board
  • LED Light
  • Batteries (usually AA NiCad)
  • Photo Resistor
  • Diode

The solar cell panel is able to create up to 0.45 volts and various amounts of current. The amount of current relies on the size of the panel and the amount of sunlight received. Most often in outdoor solar lighting there will be four solar cell panels which are tied together, thus able to produce 1.8 volts and up to 100 milliamps.

The current generated by the solar cells travels by wire to the battery through a diode. The diode prevents the current from going back to the solar cell. When the sun is out, the battery charges and at night the battery powers the light. The photo resister is what controls when the light is turned on and off.

The power from the battery is sent through the controller board which takes information from the photo resister to determine whether it is time to turn on the light. The battery can operate the LED light for 8-12 hours.

Most solar outdoor lighting uses LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, because they are long lasting and use very little energy to power, meaning that they use less energy and require less sunlight to power than a traditional bulb.

Solar lights are best placed in areas that receive a fair amount of sunlight; otherwise they may not get enough energy from the sun to stay on at night. If the lights are placed in areas that are shady or receive less light then the lights may not be operational when you need them.

Once the lights are installed an occasional adjustment to the angle of the solar cell as well as cleaning off the panels is all that’s needed to keep the lights working their best.