Great Outdoor Lighting Ideas Using Solar Lights

Outdoor solar lighting is the newest thing in landscape lighting. In today's economic environment of high electricity and energy costs, using solar lighting can help to lessen the bite of your utility bill, without sacrificing the look and convenience of having your property lit once the sun goes down. In addition solar lighting is good for the environment. There are some really great benefits to Solar lights. Generally the lights are very low cost to purchase and install. There is great flexibility in your choice of location to install the lights, just as so long as the area gets sufficient sun, you are good to go. Solar lights come equipped with an automatic off and on feature, so you don't have to worry about remembering to turn them on, or to set a timer. Solar lights come in many different types, and each type has specific uses.

First there are traditional landscape lights - used wherever you would normally want landscape lighting. The lights come as stake lights, hanging lanterns, path lights (for walkways), tiered lights, and more decorative models.

Solar lights also surprisingly come as post lights. Both short and tall models are available. Now the traditional post light look at the end of a driveway or walkway can be had in a solar light.

Another surprising use of solar lighting technology is in security lighting. Solar security lighting comes in either spotlight or motion activated types. Some of the newer solar security lights even feature halogen spot light bulbs for increased brightness.

There are also a number of specialty solar lighting products now on the market. Such items as floating pond lights, lighted stepping stones, solar illuminated planters, and solar powered shed lights.

In setting up solar lights it is helpful to keep a few tips in mind.

Tier lights are ideal for lighting the ground, walks, steps, and shrubs - because those types of lights shine light downward.

Floodlights are ideal if you are tying to get rid of dark areas around entrances and other larger parts of your property. Floodlights are also useful to highlight trees and other features of your landscaping by setting the floodlight at ground level and having the light shine up to the object being lit.

Using taller solar light fixtures are ideal to spread the light evenly over a large area.

No matter what purpose you have in mind for installing solar lighting, before you begin it always best to have a plan. Try to lay out the lighting based off the features that you wish to draw attention to. For walkways and pathways try to stick the lights on the same side of the path, as opposed to alternating. This gives the installation a more professional look. Lastly always remember that since you are using solar lights, you can always move or relocate them easily if your first lay out doesn't work well.