How to choose the right solar lighting?

Solar lighting is winning over more and more households. And with good reason: it's ecological, economical and, above all, practical. It uses the sun's inexhaustible energy to operate, it saves you money, and it can be positioned wherever you like, as it requires no electrical connections. So it's an excellent compromise for lighting up your outdoors and illuminating your garden. What's more solar lamps come in a wide range of models and shapes: spotlights, floodlights, bollards, wall lights and more. The range is vast.

But how do you make the right choice? Discover our complete guide on how to choose the right solar lighting.

The principle of solar lighting

A solar-powered luminaire consists of two essential components: a battery and photovoltaic panels. During the day, they store the maximum amount of solar energy, which is then used in the evening to light up the outdoors. Solar lighting makes it easy to add a spot of light to your garden, without any constraints. With solar power, there's no need to run cables and bury them. All you have to do is find the ideal spot to plant or fix your lamp, and enjoy the many advantages. That's right, because practicality isn't the only advantage of this environmentally-friendly system, since it also helps lower your energy bill. And if you choose LED solar lighting, you'll save even more.

The different types of solar lighting

Each luminaire has its own specificity. This is also the case with solar lighting. This lighting system is available in different product types to suit your needs.

Solar bollards

Like spotlights, solar-powered bollards are more suited to marking out terraces or pathways. The difference is that they provide more diffused, high-level lighting. Discover the many models of Lumihome solar bollards and their contemporary style. And if you're looking for more height, opt for the Sun - 2,000 solar-powered floor lamp.

Solar-powered bollards

Like solar bollards, bollards are used to mark paths and driveways. Their size and ease of installation also make them ideal for plant beds or simple flower pots.

Solar projectors

Particularly useful for illuminating entrances, porches and driveways, solar floodlights are ideal for high-traffic areas. It can also be used to illuminate a specific feature or area of your garden, thanks to its directional function. The solar floodlight can also be fitted with a motion detector, as is the case with Lumihome solar floodlights, so it lights up as soon as a passage or an intrusion is detected. A luminaire equipped with a motion detector also reduces energy consumption.

Criteria to consider when choosing your solar lighting system

Autonomy

The autonomy of solar lighting can vary greatly from one luminaire to another, and from one manufacturer to another. So it's important to refer to the specifications of the solar light in question before making your purchase. "If you want to keep your garden lit all night long, you'll need an autonomy of between 8 and 12 hours. On the other hand, if your solar light is equipped with a motion detector, it will save you energy. That's why an autonomy of 4 hours is perfectly adequate", explains Christophe Coelho.

Lighting power

Solar lighting has long suffered from a bad reputation due to the low light intensity it was able to offer. Today, however, solar lights are much more efficient. To make your choice, it's important to refer to the number of lumens of your solar lamp:

If you're aiming for simple signage, a wattage of less than 100 lumens is perfectly adequate. The aim is not to illuminate, but rather to delimit a space.
If you want to provide sufficient light without blinding your guests, choose a solar light with an intensity of between 100 and 250 lumens.
Finally, if you're looking for emergency lighting, you'll need an intensity of over 250 lumens. In most cases, solar-powered luminaires are equipped with a motion detector. In fact, this level of power is not needed on a permanent basis for outdoor lighting.

The benefits of a remote panel

Solar lighting with a remote panel lets you use solar energy to illuminate an area with poor exposure or little sunlight. All you need to do is place the remote panel in an area bathed in light, so that the associated solar lamp has all the power it needs to illuminate your space.

The importance of sealing standards

Outdoor lighting in general must meet certain waterproofing standards, depending on the location. The same applies to solar solutions. When choosing your lighting, look at the luminaire's protection rating. Composed of two digits, this IP indicates the degree of protection against the penetration of solids (the first digit) and liquids (the second digit). You'll find a range of different ratings, including :

IP 23: protects the luminaire from light water splashes. Choose it if your light is placed under a roof or awning.
IP 44: suitable for surface-mounted or floodlight installations. It provides perfect protection against splashing water.
IP55: guarantees protection against dust and water jets from any direction.
IP 65: this rating is of interest for luminaires installed on terraces, as it protects against direct water splashes.
IP 67: for temporary immersion protection.
IP 68: guarantees waterproofing against permanent immersion. In other words, it's essential for luminaires placed inside a pool or swimming pool.

Solar lighting installation and maintenance

Where to place solar lighting?

Even though the majority of today's solar solutions are highly efficient, a sunny location is recommended. This allows the luminaire to fill up on energy and be fully efficient. "Lumihome solutions, on the other hand, are based on an innovative, patented technology that generates amazing lighting that is unique to a solar product. The new solar sensor allows the luminaire to be efficient even if it's not placed in full sunlight." Christophe Coelho.

You can also opt for a solar lighting solution with a remote panel if the area to be lit is under shelter or an awning, for example.

Low maintenance

One of the advantages of solar lighting is undoubtedly its low maintenance. A regular wipe down of the photovoltaic cells is enough to keep them dust-free and in good working order. The batteries in Lumihome models are interchangeable. This means that in the event of a problem, you won't need to replace your entire luminaire, but can simply replace the battery, for lighting that lasts over time.

We hope this guide will help you choose the right solar lighting. Models, shapes, styles, protection rating, with or without sensor... Your choice will depend on how you intend to use the luminaire.

MENU