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- Solar Lighting
- Solar Bollard Lights
Solar Bollard Lights
Solar bollard lights are an excellent choice for illuminating the exterior of your home in a way that complements your home and landscaping. For longer-lasting and more formal illumination around your home, consider installing solar bollard lights. They come in a variety of styles perfect for many different areas of your outdoor space.
The solar bollard light works because it is designed to collect, store, and then use sunlight energy. It isn't really a replacement for the incandescent bulb because that can be used where there is no access to mains power - e.g. where it's cheaper to install the system rather than take out a long lease for those who have just moved into a house or building. Solar bollard lights are low-cost and easy to step into by simply screwing them into place.
Why Solar Bollard Lights?
Cost Savings
Solar bollard lights are self-sufficient and do not require a connection to the local power grid. This allows you to save up to 50% on install costs by avoiding both the need for electrical and trenching.
When you don't have to dig a ditch, you save up on labor and material costs over traditional systems.One more good thing about installing solar bollard lights is it requires little maintenance, perhaps once every five years or so. This can save you money as well.
Lowers Environmental Impact
Solar bollards make use of solar energy to light up a dark area. It means that there will be no need for high amounts of electricity and it can reduce the carbon footprint. With the use of solar bollard lights, we also help in supporting the local economy.
It not only makes temporary removal and re-installation of the bollards easier, but it also eliminates the risk of corrosion from standing water in the low-lying area when flooding occurs.
Long lifespan
Die-cast aluminum is used in the construction of most bollards which allows them to endure extreme environmental conditions such as in marine areas. Not only that, but architectural-grade powder coatings can also contribute to their longevity.
Use of Smart Technology
To maximize efficiency, various solar bollards employ a variety of technologies. The system can adjust the lighting depending on the time of night, the activity of the area, and a variety of other factors with the help of a controller.
In addition, it helps to make sure that there is optimal lighting for different environmental conditions. If you are in a high ambient light area, higher intensities are used but more rural areas can have a much lower intensity light and still achieve the same visibility.
Low risks of accident
Installing solar bollard lights isn't as risky as installing wires. Less external wires lessen the chances of people being electrocuted by open lines.
Unaffected by power outages
Gone are the days when you had to use electricity to power lights. Now, you can use solar energy to light up your garden or driveway. Solar bollard lights operate even during power outages because they are powered by an independent source of electricity. It means that a disruption in the power supply lines has no effect on the operation of the bollards. These are ideal for areas prone to power outages.
Ease of Installation
Solar bollard lights can be installed to add light anywhere with access to direct sunlight, without any electrical wiring required.
Types of Bollard Lights
Louvre: The light on these bollard points to the ground. They are best suited for paths and natural areas.
Standard cone reflector: This is the most common style with a light spread of 360 degrees that is ideal for commercial lighting.
Specialized cone reflector: This is a good choice for ambient lighting. The light is directed downwards and outwards. It gives off good lighting coverage without a glare.
Type V glass reflector: These lights are among the most intense. If you only need a few bollards, these will work just fine because they illuminate the entire area and provide 360-degree coverage.
Components of solar bollard lights
The lighting system of solar bollard lights consist of a pole, the solar panel, its lighting unit (LED or bulb), battery, and other miscellaneous parts that are included in the packaging include: mounting brackets, fixture arms, wire harnesses and other extra materials or accessories.
This may or may not be your first time on bollard lights, but there are still common questions we receive about this type of fixture. We’ve compiled them and if you still want to know more, keep reading.
How do solar bollard lights work?
During the day, the solar panel generates power from the sun, which is stored in the battery. The lighting controller (the system's brain) detects dusk and automatically turns on the light. So when dawn is detected, the light is turned off.
What weather resistance do solar bollard lights have?
Just like the typical bollard light, solar bollard lights have durable designs. The weather resistance that they have is extremely high, and some are entirely submersible making them ideal for flood-prone areas. They have enough battery backup to provide reliable all-night lighting for the specific weather conditions in that location.
If you are interested, the IP rating of the lighting fixture determines whether it can withstand foreign elements like water and dust. Having an IP rating of 65, your bollard will be resistant to harmful dirt particles in the air and can withstand extended rainy conditions.
A great product from us is August Grey Industrial Solar Bollard Light that you can install to illuminate your garden, walkways or driveways for safety and added ambience.
How to install solar bollard lights?
In our collection, you will see some of these solar bollard lights are surface mounted, our Vicky Black Industrial Solar Bollard Light is an example.
Because they do not necessarily require the same materials or process with the bollard street lighting, they can be simpler and faster to install. Here are some common steps if you plan to DIY your bollard lighting installation:
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Choose the location for the bollard light and mark the area where it will be installed.
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Pre-drill the holes to the exact size of the bollard’s mounting plate. Make sure the holes are drilled to the stud or screw size.
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Using the appropriate hardware, (screws, bolts, etc.) that may come with the lighting fixture’s package, secure the mounting plate to the surface.
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You may also fill the holes with concrete adhesive first before inserting the screws or studs. Remember to slowly and carefully pour the mixture to minimize air bubbles.
It is good to note that the installation process may differ from the type of bollards you purchased and the materials that come with it.
How long do the batteries of solar bollard lights last?
A well-built solar lighting bollard should provide at least 4 full nights of battery backup (you can compare that for the longest winter nights) when the light is turned on at full brightness. As you may see in this collection that we showcased, our solar bollard lights can operate 10 hours per day.
Things you need to check before buying Solar Bollard Lights
The increased popularity and advancements of solar bollard lights are a game changer. The lights use highly efficient solar energy and provide an alternative energy source. Installing solar-powered bollards not only improves safety but also helps to green the environment. Of course, a significant benefit is the cutback on electrical costs.
Solar lights vary widely in quality. To make the best purchase, ask these questions before you buy. Here are the things you need to check:
Autonomy
To be effective in the northern latitudes, solar lights need more autonomy. Better solar lights come with a high-capacity lithium battery, which enables them to stay lit during long periods of dark and stormy weather.
The batteries in bottom-tier solar lights are cheap, so they can only stay brightly lit for a few hours without direct sunlight. That might not be a problem if you live in the tropics—where the sun shines consistently year-round—but for everyone else, these lights are completely ineffective.
Power Storage
Despite what you might think, power storage and charging time are not the same. A battery with a low capacity may reach full charge more quickly than a larger battery, but the latter will usually have a superior power storage rate.
Temperature
If you live in a climate that's warmer or colder than average, you'll want to make sure your solar lights can withstand the temperatures there. The batteries are usually the first thing to fail from extreme temperatures.
Light Colour
The most common type of light is Neutral light (4,300 K) which has a slight blue cast and comfortable natural white light. It provides excellent visibility and is commonly used for headlights and parking lots.
Second common type of light is the Warm light (3,000 K) gives off a slight yellow cast that is ideal for producing a softer ambiance, also similar to an incandescent bulb. It consumes less energy than cool white (4,000 K) light but does not provide the same level of visibility. You can see these warm lighting fixtures typically used for highlighting architectural or landscape design.
Solar Insolation
Solar insolation refers to how much sunlight a solar bollard receives in one day. A site's region, weather patterns, and shade will all affect the amount of solar insolation that the bollard's solar cells receive. Solar bollard lights with good power storage can run for 4-5 hours with clear sun exposure, usually in the middle of the day.
If the site has scattered shade, there are solar-powered models available that separate solar panels from solar light. You may find those models slightly more difficult to install because they require some trenching, but they do allow solar lighting in areas that would otherwise have to be connected to electric utility lines.
Finally, you are now convinced that solar bollard lights are the best solar bollard lights are the most innovative, cost-effective solar lights for your lawn, pathway, and driveway lighting needs. Not only that, they also provide both security and a warm welcoming ambiance to your home—and they do it all while reducing your carbon footprint!
Ready to upgrade your current lighting system in your outdoor area? Contact Zest Lighting today to have your solar bollard lights be delivered right at your doorsteps.