Newer side-mount motion-activated solar lights replace older, less-reliable iterations.
photos by Marc LaBossiere / Free Press
Solar light fixtures specifically made for posts define the fenced arc around the fire-pit and seating area in the yard.
Solar path lights installed around the backyard magically illuminate the walkway.
This week has been frigid, and that’s putting it mildly (excuse the play on words).
When choosing the topic for this week’s column, my thoughts drifted towards warm recollections of exterior yard upgrades that inevitably highlight the benefits of solar lighting. Although a few solar motion lights were always mounted in strategic locations around the house exterior, recent upgrades in technology have really enhanced the outdoor experience from dusk until dawn.
The first attempts at solar lighting began roughly a decade ago, when the technology was still in its infancy. Although the goal of eliminating the need to run wiring to external locations for lighting was achieved, the fixtures themselves were rudimentary.
The solar panels for each light were rather small, and over time it became apparent the batteries did not have much of a lifespan. After their first winter, the fixtures needed to be replaced.
The second generation of motion lights fared slightly better. Their individual solar panels were not only larger, but were also connected to individual light fixtures with wiring that allowed for mounting the panels to directly face the sun, no matter the desired orientation of the light itself. These lasted for a few years, however their wires did not survive the third winter, once again rendering the lights useless and in need of replacement.
More recently, I came across solar motion-activated lighting that features a large solar panel surface atop the fixture. And although the convenience of mounting the panel directly towards the sun independently from the desired light orientation no longer applies, it was possible to mount each of the lights where they were most practical. These upgraded units have shown a better tolerance of cold winter conditions as well, and after three seasons the light fixtures function as well as they did right out of the box.
The more decorative solar lighting that was introduced throughout our yard is what really excites me — the semi-circular wind-fence that arcs around the fire-pit and seating area now showcases top-post dusk-to-dawn solar lights, 15 in all.
The fixture housing is shipped ready to fit four-by-four-inch and six-by-six posts (with use of an additional part). For my four-by-four posts, each fixture is first fitted with the supplied rechargeable battery and once switched on, the mount is fastened to the top of the post using two side-mounted screws.
During the summer months, these lights will remain lit until dawn, albeit slightly dimmer as their batteries runs down. No matter, the sun replenishes them to full charge throughout the day, whereby the process repeats itself.
During the colder months, two factors affect the duration of lighting. The days are shorter and nights longer, thereby increasing the demand for lighting exactly when charge-time from the sun is reduced. Also, the batteries themselves struggle harder to retain a charge the colder it gets. I intend to replace the batteries this spring, to ensure we enjoy the maximum lighting potential throughout the summer months.
Finally, the most recent solar lighting addition to the yard is path lights — solar lights mounted atop stakes that can be inserted into the ground. Strategically placed along a recently created path in our back yard, these lights magically illuminate the walkway for a beautiful experience as the sun sets. And from the house, these lights outline the path, all without the need for trench wiring.
Unlike the post lights however, I elected to remove the lights from the walkway over the winter months to increase their longevity — the snow drifts would have covered them completely anyway.
To expedite the re-installation in spring, I left the base portion of the stake in the ground, and sprayed them bright fluorescent green to easily locate once the snow melts.
The advent of solar-powered lighting technology has definitely flicked the switch on for cost-effective yard lighting. In lieu of expensive and invasive installations that would require running wire underground, solar lighting is fast and easy, with a variety of lighting solutions available. And even though our winters can be harsh on these little fixtures, replacement on occasion is still cheaper than the cost to install a fully wired system, which would still be subjected to the effects of winter.
The best improvements are those that increase our time spent outside — our new solar yard lights make the experience a whole lot more enjoyable.
RenoBoss.Inc@outlook.com
