Go solar while adding brushed-copper elegance to the driveway, landscaping, or garden path with this handsome set of 12 solar lights. Made of rust-resistant stainless steel in a copper-plated finish with fluted glass lenses, each light is capped by a crystal silicon solar panel that converts enough free energy from the sun to stay lit from 8 to 12 hours. Within each lens are two patented white LED bulbs for extra brightness; 600mAh rechargeable batteries store the converted electricity. Automatic turn-on at dusk and turn-off at dawn means hands-free operation. Each light's lens, cap, pole, and stake are quick to assemble. Imported, each solar light measures 18.7 inches high.
Strathwood décor has quality, ease of use, and casual elegance at its core. This classic style and reliable craftsmanship will weather ever-changing trends and regular use for years to come.
Solar Lighting FAQ
Q: Are solar lights what I need?
If you've got sun and just want nighttime lighting for safe access around paths, or for accent lighting near patios, pools, ponds, flower beds, trees, or other landscape features, then wireless solar lighting is an easy way to go--and one that won't add to the electric bill. Solar lighting isn't as applicable for very cloudy or constantly shaded areas, especially when reliable security and safety is the desired effect.
Q: Is solar lighting technology reliable?
Solar cells are far more efficient today than they were even 10 years ago. Advancements in circuitry, light bulbs and diodes, and battery technology have boosted the reliability as much, if not more, than innovations in solar cell technology itself, making solar lights very reliable compared with conventional lighting--and even more so if the grid is down.
Q: How do solar lights work?
A solar panel or photovoltaic cell made from plentiful silicon crystals is built into the top of the light, where it absorbs and converts sunlight into electricity. That electricity is wired to a pair of rechargeable nickel-cadmium (ni-cad) batteries that store the power for nighttime use. When the sun goes down, a light sensor automatically turns on the fixture's light source, a super-efficient pair of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Come dawn, the sensor shuts down the LEDs, and the solar panel begins charging the batteries again. There's also a manual on/off switch that lets you turn they lights on earlier than they'll come on themselves, or keep the lights off all night if they're not needed at the time.
Q: How bright are solar lights?
Each light is equipped with two patented white LED bulbs. Together, the LEDs emit about the same amount of light as a 4-watt incandescent bulb, or a couple of wax candles--creating a nice, soft glow for accent lighting or for safely illuminating an outdoor path.
Q: How long do the lights stay on?
When fully charged with a day of adequate sunshine, the ni-cad batteries power the LEDs for 8 to 12 hours of nighttime operation. And, unlike fragile, short-lived incandescent bulbs, the LEDs stand up to bumps and drops and have a life expectancy of around 100,000 hours, so there's no need to ever change the diodes.
Q: Do the batteries ever have to be changed?
Designed to withstand daily charging and depletion, the ni-cad batteries provide reliable lighting for months and months. And they're easy to replace when the time comes.
Q: Are solar lights easy to install?
Solar lights offer instant lighting with no wiring to hassle with and minimal assembly. Just assemble the support poles (if necessary), stick the integrated ground stake into the ground, and let the sun do the rest.
Q: Are solar lights safe around kids, pets, and water?
LEDs require very low voltage and the housing is sealed tight, so little hands, teeth, and tails won't get zapped. And because the lights are weather resistant and rainproof, they won't short out in a downpour.
Q: How do I get the most out of the lights?
For optimal charging, make sure the solar cell is exposed to sun all day, with no bushes, branches, or fence posts blocking the panel at any time. And, so that the light sensor isn't inadvertently affected by artificial light, make sure the unit is installed away from other outdoor light sources, including garage and street lights.