Pros and Cons of Using Solar Security Lighting
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1-2 hours
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Beginner
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Many homeowners enjoy the benefits of solar security lighting for outdoor security. Solar lighting uses the light of day to power the security lights. During the day the batteries store up energy from the sun’s radiation.
This energy is later converted to a direct current for lighting in the night. It is proving to be a welcome and effective alternative for many in place of the usual electric powered security lights. However, using solar lighting for security systems is not without its disadvantages. Below is an overview of its advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of Using Solar Security Lighting
You can count on lower energy costs with solar lighting. Since the energy provided by the sun is free, nobody is going to bill you for the energy utilized. With electricity, you have to meet the cost of energy that powers your security lights. You also save money on installation with solar lighting systems. No wiring is necessary for the lights to function. This makes installation a quicker, easier and cheaper process. Less fixtures and fittings are required to sustain solar lighting.
Maintenance requirements for solar lighting are also low due to lack of wiring and fewer fixtures. This adds to your overall savings. Lack of wiring also increases the versatility of solar security lights. You can install the lights just about anywhere you choose to in your yard since wiring isn’t a prerequisite.
Solar lighting allows you to enjoy an efficient security lighting system with minimal expenses. This makes solar lighting a cost-effective alternative to electricity. As a renewable resource, solar power is more dependable than electricity, oil, or coal-powered lighting. There’s always the possibility that oil and coal may be depleted, unlike the sun’s energy, which is infinitely available. Dependability for solar energy is also realized in that supply cannot be disrupted by power outages or other disruptions. You can count on its availability throughout.
Most solar security lights incorporate darkness sensors to enable easy turning on and off. This feature adds to the convenience of the lights. Motion sensors are also integrated in most solar lighting systems. These are designed to activate the light when someone walks in the path of the sensor. It makes a great deterrent for burglars and adds to your home security. Finally, there’s no risk of electrocution or lights getting too hot with solar lights. This makes them safer for use than electrical lights.
Disadvantages of Using Solar Security Lighting
Unfortunately, the brightness of solar powered lights isn’t as great as that of electric lights. Although solar lights are powered for free, the dim lighting may be unsatisfactory to some. Where the atmosphere is polluted it affects the efficiency of solar lighting systems, as brightness is further reduced. Bad weather or heavy cloud cover also inhibits the system from operating at its best. Too much rain or high levels of humidity limit the batteries from storing up as much of the sun’s radiation as they otherwise would in fine weather.