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Solar energy is becoming increasingly popular. And with good reason: this system, which relies on power supplied by photovoltaic panels, is both economical and environmentally friendly. Solar energy is first captured and then transformed into electricity to power luminaires or lighting systems.
Used to light gardens, solar power can also be adapted to road networks, parking lots and cities. Would you like to find out more about solar lighting solutions ? We'll enlighten you.
Solar outdoor lighting: how it works
Before getting to the heart of the matter and detailing the benefits of solar lighting, it's important to briefly explain how it works. So, what does this solution involve? Solar luminaires are made up of photovoltaic panels that capture the sun's energy and convert it into electricity. All this energy captured during the day is stored in the lamp's batteries, which are activated as soon as evening falls to produce light. You might think that this solution is only viable in regions with a lot of sunshine. You'd be wrong: today's solar-powered luminaires are more and more efficient, providing effective lighting even when the sun's rays are weak. However, recharging time will be longer, especially in winter.
Simple installation
One of the main advantages of solar lighting is its ease of installation. No cables to run, no 230V connection! Solar lighting is self-sufficient. For homeowners, all you have to do is attach the solar-powered beacon, fix the wall lamp or recess the spotlight to enjoy the light. This is an advantage not to be overlooked if you don't want to embark on a complicated installation, if you're not the DIY king, or if the lighting of your garden or terrace hasn't been thought through in advance. No special know-how is required to install solar lights. For professionals and local authorities, the use of solar energy means no trenching and no connections, with considerable savings in the process.
As for positioning, once again, some of today's solutions are so efficient that they don't necessarily need to be installed in areas facing due south. This is also the case with Lumihome's solar solutions, which, thanks to their new solar sensor, manage to recharge their batteries even when the light is less direct. You could therefore use a luminaire from the Lumihome solar range to light a shed at the far end of your garden, for example.
Easy maintenance
Solar lighting is primarily intended for outdoor use. As a result, you need to ensure that your fixtures are waterproof and sufficiently resistant to external aggression. "Lumihome solar luminaires undergo rigorous testing to certify that they are resistant to humidity, heat and corrosion. This is important," explains Christophe Coelho. All products in the range are also designed in stainless steel, to which we add a surface treatment, for assured robustness." But even if your fixtures are extremely resistant, you'll still need to carry out some maintenance work. Don't worry, nothing too major. It's just a matter of looking after your equipment. You'll need to do a little regular cleaning to ensure that your fixtures retain their full performance. Finally, check your lamp's battery power regularly. This is the element that deteriorates the fastest, and its importance is crucial to the smooth operation of your system.
An ecological approach
By opting for solar energy, you're helping to protect the environment. Solar lighting is a clean-energy solution that uses natural, inexhaustible sunlight. There's no CO2 released into the atmosphere, and no gases that contribute to global warming. Solar lighting is environmentally friendly!
An efficient lighting solution
It's true that solar lighting can still suffer from a bad reputation. This is mainly due to low-priced, poor-quality luminaires that produce mediocre light. Today, however, the technologies used in the construction of photovoltaic panels are increasingly efficient. Solutions using monocrystalline panels, such as Lumihome's luminaires, provide diffused lighting, regardless of the sun's direct rays. This means they're efficient and can store a good deal of energy to produce powerful light for several hours. Lumihome solar lighting converts daylight into high-intensity electrical energy, so you can enjoy ultra-high luminosity (up to 600 lumens).
Advantages and disadvantages of solar lighting
The benefits
Solar lighting is winning over more and more households, communities and professionals. And with good reason: this system offers many advantages:
- As already mentioned, solar lighting is easy to use and completely self-sufficient.
- It's easy to install.
- No breakdowns possible. If you're a professional, the absence of blackouts is a great advantage.
- Maintenance is reduced to an absolute minimum.
- Solar lighting is highly resistant to external conditions.
- It's environmentally friendly, since it uses the sun's natural energy to provide light.
- Its effectiveness has been proven. The batteries used are increasingly high-performance, providing several hours' autonomy. Finally, solar lighting uses LED technology, renowned for its quality and low power consumption.
- Solar lighting is economical. Indeed, even if the price of the luminaire may seem high at first, it will soon be offset by the energy savings achieved. Similarly, in the case of public solar lighting, the return on investment is quickly realized.
Disadvantages
While there are many advantages to solar lighting, there are a few disadvantages that can be avoided:
- Light intensity can depend on the amount of sunlight. To counter this drawback, Lumihome has equipped its solar luminaires with innovative technology, based on the combination of a new-generation solar sensor, LED lighting and a battery capable of delivering constant intensity. "Our sensor accepts less direct light. Even so, the batteries recharge efficiently, even if the recharging time is somewhat longer." Christophe Coelho
- Replacing a solar battery is an investment not to be overlooked. In some cases, you may not be able to find the reference you're looking for, and you'll have to replace the entire luminaire, at a considerable cost. However, you can avoid this inconvenience by opting for Lumihome solar lamps. The brand is committed to the environment. That's why it has equipped its lights with an intelligent discharge system that preserves the battery and extends its life, as well as that of the bulbs. "To preserve the environment, we don't want any more disposable products. That's why our approach focuses on the durability of our products. What's more, our batteries are perfectly interchangeable. So you can enjoy your lights for a long time, without having to change them." Christophe Coelho
The different types of solar lighting
There are many different types of solar-powered lighting for all your projects. You'll find solutions with automatic switch-on, which activate as soon as night falls, or solar lighting with presence detectors, which switch on as soon as someone passes by.
Whether you're looking to brighten up a driveway, enhance a terrace or decorate a flower bed, there are many solutions to choose from, each with its own specific use:
- Solar-powered wall sconce: this light can be mounted on a wall to illuminate a porch, garage entrance or terrace. Lumihome offers solar wall lights in black or stainless steel, with a sober, contemporary look. Whether round, like the Daytona wall lamp, or rectangular, like the Pulsar lamp, Lumihome fixtures can be combined in any way you like, and some models include a presence detector.
- Solar floodlights: ideal for illuminating clumps or specific areas, they have the advantage of being directional.
- Solar recessed spotlights: the ideal solution for creating ambient lighting. Lumihome offers a recessed solar spotlight kit with remote panel, enabling you to create bright lighting on your terrace without having to connect to the electricity grid.
- Solar bollards: solar bollards are perfect for marking out your driveway, as well as the contours of your terrace. Lumihome offers a wide range of solar bollards: Venus, Daytona, Diva and Luxor. All will add height to your solar lighting with ease.
- Solar street lamps: Lumihome has created the Sun-2 000 solar street lamp. A two-meter luminaire that will overhang your garden or terrace with its timeless lines.
- Solar-powered decorative lamps: available in cubes, pots or lanterns, they add the finishing touch to your garden.
Solar lighting holds no secrets for you. Reliable and high-performance, it's an increasingly popular lighting option for both private individuals and local authorities. So don't hesitate any longer. Succumb to its many advantages, and take advantage of its ethical dimension to take care of the planet.
