Most people have never had to deal with the installation of a traditional lamp post. It is often surprising to read about all of the steps and frustrations that usually accompany such a job. Depending upon the type of fixture, the owner or installer will have to lay in the appropriate electrical or gas lines, pour a large and hefty base from concrete that will prevent wiring or gas lines from shifting and then make regular maintenance on the work for years to come.
All of the digging, pouring, wiring, leveling and hassle can be eliminated simply by choosing to install solar lamp posts instead. These are efficient and durable lighting fixtures that require only the light of the sun to enable them to operate for hours afterwards.
Today’s solar fixtures come in a staggering number of designs and styles and the advancements in LED technology, which is the standard light bulb utilized in a solar lamp of any kind will allow for lighting that can easily compete with old-fashioned fluorescents. In fact, the beauty of opting for solar lamps and fixtures means that such time consuming, risky and expensive tasks as changing light bulbs might only happen once every few years!
Of course, the real benefits of solar lamps come from the fact that they are entirely “off the grid”. They do not use any natural resources, do not cost the owner anything other than their purchase price and the occasional LED change, and will help to save the environment.
Solar lamp posts are not merely an earth-friendly alternative to gentle exterior lighting; today’s options feature powerful lamps, motion sensors, onboard timers or dusk to dawn sensors and heavy duty materials that can see them installed in both residential and commercial applications.
While they are often stylish in design, solar lamps are also made to serve some very specific functions. They can be incorporated into a home or business security system where they illuminate dark corners of yards or entryways, they can be placed near areas that are often difficult to negotiate after dark, such as stairs or walkways, and they can be used to accent a garden or landscape in a decorative fashion during both day and night time hours.
Clearly, solar lamp posts and fixtures can provide an easy, long-lasting and incredibly affordable option in exterior lighting. They take moments to install, require little to no maintenance and save the owner thousands of dollars in electrical or gas usage over the course of their lifetime.
Jonathan Gal is a solar lighting expert and owner of YCA Solar Lights, an organization dedicated to promoting clean, energy efficient solar lighting technology. To find out more about how solar technology is changing the way we live, especially with respect to lighting, you are invited to visit Jonathan's outdoor solar lighting site.
