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Solar lighting is all the rage these days. Practical and ecological, it has benefited from numerous technological advances to become highly efficient and powerful. Available as bollards, wall lights or spotlights, it can be adapted to meet your every need. But how does solar lighting work? We know it needs the sun's natural, inexhaustible energy to perform its function, but do we know exactly how it works? We'll tell you all about the nuts and bolts of solar lighting in this article.
Spotlight on Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel
It's impossible to talk about solar lighting without mentioning the name Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel. Although photovoltaics has only been in the news for a few years now, it was the Becquerel family who gave it its first impetus. It was Antoine César Becquerel and his son Alexandre Edmond Becquerel who first discovered the photovoltaic effect in 1839. Admittedly, at the time they were only demonstrating the electrical effects produced under the influence of the sun's rays. We were still a long way from the first silicon solar panels built in 1954 and the photovoltaic cells of today, but the adventure of photovoltaics and solar energy was underway.
How does the solar panel work?
Solar panel composition
First of all, keep in mind that LED lighting is made up of :
- a battery ;
- a solar panel made up of photovoltaic cells. This solar panel exploits the photoelectric effect, which occurs when certain materials come into contact with sunlight and emit electrons.
The solar panel has one essential component: a module that transforms the sun's energy into electricity. The module is made up of a number of silicon cells and two layers connected by conductive wires. As with batteries, these two superimposed layers create a potential difference that generates the electric current: the top layer has a surplus of electrons, while the layer below has a deficit of electrons.
Solar panel operation
Solar lighting works in the same way as a photovoltaic system, except on a smaller scale.
Exposed to sunlight, the solar panel is struck by the electrons contained in the sun's rays throughout the day. This is the first stage. This is when the photo-electric effect takes place: the electrons produced on impact cross the two layers and produce the electric current. The energy thus collected during the day is stored in the battery, to be supplied to the LED bulb when required.
There are different types of photovoltaic cells, depending on the quality of the silicon used in the manufacturing process. This difference will lead to differences in efficiency, which is why it's important to be very careful. Yield is the ratio between the energy reaching the panel and the energy leaving it in the form of electricity. At Lumihome, we use monocrystalline silicon cells. These are the most expensive, but also the most efficient. Their efficiency is far superior to that of other cell types.
Solar LED lighting: a wide choice of solutions
Practical, economical and environmentally friendly, solar LED lighting is becoming increasingly popular. And with good reason: it's also aesthetically pleasing, and comes in a multitude of solutions to suit your needs.
Solar wall light
To illuminate a porch, entrance or garage door, solar-powered wall lights are the ideal solution. Lumihome offers a multitude of models that will blend perfectly with your décor, whether your home is modern or traditional. From the Venus outdoor solar wall light to the Luxor model and the Living wall light, you're bound to find the solution that will bring a touch of refinement to your wall.
The decorative lamp
Solar lighting is above all practical, but it's also aesthetically pleasing. That's why Lumihome has developed the Solar Nomad Lamp in stainless steel, to be placed wherever you like. Whether you're lighting up an outdoor dinner party, or brightening up an evening with friends, this nomadic lamp is both a useful and decorative object.
Solar recessed spotlight
Spotlights are just the thing for marking out pathways or swimming pools. But if this type of lighting hasn't been thought out in advance, it's difficult to install after the fact. Solar-powered recessed spotlights can be a solution. Simple to install, they can bring refined, high-quality lighting to a driveway or terrace without needing to be connected to the 230V mains supply.
The solar-powered outdoor bollard
Solar-powered bollards are ideal for delineating driveways, marking paths, or framing terraces and swimming pools. Discover Lumihome's wide range of Diva, Saphir and Daytona models, and appreciate their contemporary lines and incomparable elegance.
The solar spotlight
If you're looking for powerful lighting, you can opt for the solar floodlight. Designed for powerful, precise outdoor lighting, this fixture also adds an aesthetic touch to your garden. The Lumihome solar LED floodlight is equipped with a solar panel that can be moved out of the way, making it ideal for illuminating shady areas. Autonomous and ultra-efficient, it combines a solar sensor, a more efficient LI-Ion battery and top-of-the-range SMD LEDs for lighting that's as powerful as a traditional spotlight.
The benefits of solar lighting
Economical and ecological lighting
First and foremost, solar-powered luminaires are economical. They use the sun's free energy to illuminate your outdoors, and contrary to popular belief, they're very affordable. Lumihome offers you reliable, long-lasting models, with interchangeable batteries for long product life. You'll not only save money when you buy, but also when you use them, and you'll quickly recoup the cost of your luminaire thanks to its durability and low energy consumption.
Autonomous, safe lighting
Solar lighting is self-sufficient. Thanks to a presence or twilight sensor, it switches on and off automatically. And if there's a power cut, solar lighting continues to light your way. What's more, it's safe. With solar lighting, there's no danger of electrocution! Ideal for pets or small children.
An easy-to-install solution
Solar lighting is easy to install. "Our range is quick to install and doesn't need to be connected to 230V. So you can forget about cables and tedious connections. Just screw it on, and it's installed. Christophe Coelho
Low maintenance
Solar luminaires require no special maintenance. A simple dusting is all that's needed to clean the solar collectors. "Lumihome solar luminaires are made of stainless steel, which protects them from the harshest outdoor conditions. Robust, they defy not only rust, but also salty air. To design them, we use top-quality materials such as UV-resistant reflectors that won't tarnish over time." Christophe Coelho
Efficient, powerful lighting
Contrary to popular belief, solar lighting today is highly efficient. At Lumihome, we use a UV amplifier combined with an interchangeable Li-Ion battery and SMD LEDs to achieve unrivalled power and record autonomy.
Now you know how solar lighting works, and why you should choose it. It's the most economical and environmentally-friendly lighting solution, and it's easy to install, use and maintain. You'd be wrong not to!
