Solar turtle light

Beyond lighting, we have found some cool solar garden gifts that are decorative and eco-friendly:

Solar Turtle Light:

When the sun goes down, this cute garden turtle’s shell glows amber, using solar power absorbed during the day from a small solar panel.  During the day, the garden critter looks just as adorable while the batteries in his shell are recharged by sunlight.

You can find the solar turtle light at Bits and Pieces for $29.99.

Tiffany Style Outdoor Solar Light:

Like other “ordinary” outdoor solar lights, this Tiffany-Style light is outfitted with solar panels.  Ultraviolet light recharges an internal battery during the day, then at dusk, an internal sensor activates the solar powered light inside.  The Tiffany Style light resembles stained glass and is more expensive than ordinary solar garden lights.  However, we recommend you get one or two to use as an accent in the corner of a planting bed, or on a deck or entryway.  At the Home Shopping Network, the light is $69.95.

Solar Fireflies:

If you enjoy watching fireflies flickering in the summer evening, you can now have your own firefly display any time of year.  The solar fireflies can be placed in your favorite shrub, and they automatically visit your garden each evening – just like the real thing!

A solar panel is positioned to absorb UV light during the day, and at night, the fireflies flash, flicker and fade to your delight.  You can purchase a package of 7 or 14 solar fireflies at Firefly Magic Firefly Lights, for $67.95 or $87.95, respectively.

Solar Powered Flamingo

Solar-Powered Flamingo:

This has got to be my favorite solar garden gift.

The ubiquitous garden pink flamingo now glows bright at night, thanks to solar power.  Simply insert the flamingo into the ground and a small solar panel absorbs sunlight during the day.  At night the solar-powered flamingo lights up!

Its also available at Bits and Pieces for $34.99.

Solar garden gifts are perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, or any other special time of year.

Fancy solar outdoor lighting embedded in steps

Years ago, solar lights were not very bright and didn’t last very long.  But today’s solar garden lights glow nearly as brightly as electric versions and do not require any utility power to operate.  Even more impressive is the fact that you don’t have to bring out an electrician to install your outdoor lights.  Simply position your solar lights were you want and firmly push them into the ground.  Even for more upscale installations as shown above, you still won’t need a professional to help you with wiring!

Beautiful solar outdoor lights

The advantages of using solar lighting include: (1) reliable illumination – even if the sun is not out, the absorption of UV light will provide power; (2) enjoyment of lighting each day without a concern for electricity bills; (3) soft, pleasing ambiance that doesn’t even require flipping a switch; and (4) ease of installation, replacement and positioning of solar outdoor lights.

Solar outdoor lights are also inexpensive!  Many home improvement retailers carry DIY kits that allow you to have your outdoor lighting project complete within hours – not days.  For as low as $5 per solar light, or $25 for a kit, you can bring clean, bright solar powered lighting into your backyard today.

And don’t forget the holidays!  LED holiday lights are brighter and more energy-efficient than their traditional counterparts.

Next time you are undertaking a home improvement project, why not consider solar outdoor lights?  They are versatile, inexpensive and one of the greenest way to bring ambiance into your outdoor spaces.

Beautiful solar garden lights make a great gift

Instead, I found these beautiful, copper and stainless steel solar garden lights on Overstock.com (shown to the left) recently.

At $76.99, the solar LED lights are a bit more expensive than your average Walmart selection, but if you are installing beautiful landscaping, you’ll want classic, long-lasting solar garden lights to complete your project.

Or, you could check out these solar garden lights at Amazon.com, for only $37.99 (and free shipping), instead.

You don’t have to shop online for solar garden lights, however.  Most hardware stores and home improvement outlets carry many versions of the popular landscaping lights.  The solar powered lights can be used to illuminate walkways, porches or decks.  Place them around a hot tub or spa, or intersperse the lights with your favorite flowers or shrubs to highlight your favorite specimens.

If your favorite homeowner enjoys landscaping and gardening, solar garden lights make a great gift idea!

Three sprigs of beautiful natural-looking Wild Grass LED Lights are powered by a solar panel and battery. Great product for your garden, patio and pavement decoration needs. Fiber-optic grass strands can easily be formed into different shapes. Make a bouquet by simply twisting and bending the grass wires. No A/C power needed. Self sustaining. Requires no maintenance. Great for holiday decoration and year round use. They illuminate a low- angel of 1.2 ft tall to the ground. They (more…)

A solar panel opens this automatic gate (image from Amazing Gates)

You’ve probably seen them around town, or maybe you haven’t noticed.  Attached to parking lot lights, traffic signs, even automatic gate openers: they’re single-purpose solar panels.

Convenient and cost-effective, these solar panels that are dedicated to power a single device provide consistent, wire-free energy 24/7/365.

An attached solar panel absorbs sunlight during the day and converts the energy to power the device.  There is no need to bury wires or connect to the grid.

Single-purpose solar panels offer the ultimate in reliability and safety.  When the grid goes down, due to weather or other emergency situations, solar street lights will still come on.  You’ll still be able to open your solar powered gate.  Highway directional signs fitted with solar panels will still work.

Where I live, the sun shines 300 days of the year.  Perhaps not surprisingly, I’ve noticed that the High School’s billboard is topped with solar panels to provide illumination after dark.  There are many properties with gates that are solar powered.  And a number of the flashing lights on traffic signs are operated by the power of the sun – converted by the solar panel sitting right on top!

On a smaller scale, you can experience the convenience of single-purpose solar panels by installing solar garden lights or solar security lighting.  Easy installation and no maintenance makes solar lights a perfect solution for your home or apartment.  No wiring or digging trenches involved!

Where have you noticed single-purpose solar panels around your hometown?

From the Manufacturer

CCI Moonrays 91225 Solar Powered plastic path light verona style, 10-Pack, black. This set of 10-path light fixtures helps to illuminate any area that needs added safety. They nicely mark the edge of a driveway or sidewalk, garden steps or swimming pool perimeter. The black plastic fixtures have one white LED and cast a soft glow, blending into the landscape of any home. Fixtures have durable plastic construction for longevity in all weather conditions.

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3 pcs of beautiful Wild Grass LED Lights are connected with a solar panel. Great product for your garden, patio and pavement illumination and decoration.
*** Fiber optical grass can be easily arranged into different shapes. People even make bouquet out of it when they twist those grass wires. ***No A/C wire or outlet needed when using these solar lights. Self sustained for years to come. *** Good for holidays decoration and regular seasons year around.

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Up, up and away go your electricity bills!

Did you know that lighting is a major source of energy consumption?  By reducing the carbon footprint of our lamps, we can literally cut millions of tons of CO2 emissions each year.  And consider this shocking fact:

The electricity used over the lifetime of a single incandescent bulb costs 5 to 10 times the original purchase price of the bulb itself.

While many people are familiar with compact fluorescent bulbs, light emitting diodes (LED) bulbs are actually the greener choice.  Particularly when they are solar LED lights.

Solar LED lights are used by more than just homeowners.  Airports, marine crews, outdoors people, and communities in developing nations all rely on these convenient lighting options.

The soft glow of a solar LED light

There are a number of manufacturers that have started producing solar LED lights recently.  Consumers can delight in the many options available these days, from solar garden lights to safety lighting.

Here are a few options with links to websites:

1. Westinghouse IDC (International Development Corporation) is now distributing LED solar lights to warehouses and retail outlets.  Check with your favorite hardware store to see if they carry the merchandise.
2. Want to purchase LED lights directly?  Check out Brinkmann for a wide variety of solar landscape lighting.
3. Green Solar Light has many solar LED light options, from solar road lamps, solar string, solar spotlights and more.
4. One of my favorite new sites, Starry Night Lights, sells LED lights that can illuminate driveways, sports courts and even parking lots!
5. Long lasting solar lighting comes from Gama Sonic.  One a single day’s charge, the solar LED lights can last as much as 72 hours!
6. There are lots of solar options at Silicon Solar.  Be sure to visit its solar LED lighting page for your residential or commercial needs.

These are just a few of the solar manufacturers who make LED lights.  You can not only find the products at home improvement stores, but often directly online – as many of the companies sell to consumers straight from the Internet.

Home solar lights to bring brightness to your night

With summer fading away and shorter days on the horizon, its time to think about outdoor lighting again.  Whether you want safety lighting for the exterior, or maybe you just enjoy decorative garden ambiance, there is a broad range of home solar lights from which to choose.

Most solar garden lights are compact units like … shown to the left. Each light includes its own panel, light sensor, battery, and LED.  You can also find solar light sets where the panel is separate from the light, which can allow you to light up darker areas, provided the panel itself receives sunlight during the day.

Solar garden lights are relatively inexpensive and incredibly easy to install.  You can find them at major home improvement retailers, priced from $5 per light to hundreds of dollars.  Typically, these garden lights come in packages of 6 or 8.  Simply select your favorite style, metal finish – there are even plastic options, as well.

Because you don’t need to fiddle with wiring, your solar garden lights can be shining within hours of your installation.  Position the lights in a place where they will receive at least 8 hours of UV light exposure daily.  Over night, they will glow with a soft light, fading until morning when the sun comes up.

Beyond solar garden lights, you can illuminate your patio for those late summer evenings with a solar umbrella. They give off light like flickering candles (but much safer).  Trust me, these small lights powered by the sun can even make leftovers in the backyard feel special!

Home solar lights are not just limited to decorative or walkway lamps.  Why not consider a solar lamppost, solar wall-mounted lights, or general solar outdoor lights?  Functional, directional, snazzy or plain.  You can even find dual-function solar lanterns that repel bugs, too.

Consider the ease and reliability of home solar lights for your next home improvement project.

Your neighbors will be “green” with envy!

Garden solar lights around a pond

Do you love the look of lights in your yard, but worry about electrical costs?  Relax!  There are many affordable, beautiful garden solar lights that do not use any power at all – except free energy from the sun!  Line your deck or patio, illuminate special plants and even help guide people down your driveway or up to your front door.

Garden solar lights can help you beautify your landscaping and add ambiance to your “outdoor rooms.”  There are many designs at a broad range of costs.  In fact, many home improvement stores (like Home Depot and Lowe’s) carry landscaping solar lights, ranging in price from $20-100.  Additional options can be found online.  From traditional-looking lanterns to solar rocks or statuettes – even ground-flush models, there is something for every consumer.  There is even a variety in the color of lights!

Check out this decorative option for your landscape:

For illuminating plants with tiny lights, view these little garden solar lights strands:

Solar panel on top of garden light

Most outdoor solar lights work by harnessing solar energy through small panels and then releasing it at night for a soft, ambient glow.  Even on cloudy days, there is usually enough UV light to recharge the lights for evening.  Many have sensors that switch off the lights at dawn, and then re-illuminate them at dusk.

The best part about garden solar lights is that you simply place them where you want (where they will get sunlight) and space them as you wish.  No digging trenches or worrying about wiring!

At our last home in Washington State, we had a set of solar lights lining the driveway and a few additional lights positioned to light up trees near our front door.  Even though we lived in rainy Seattle, there was not a single day that the lights failed to come on.

Most solar garden lights are compact units like the one shown to the left. Each light includes its own panel, light sensor, battery, and LED.  You can also find solar light sets where the panel is separate from the light, which can allow you to light up darker areas, provided the panel itself receives sunlight during the day.

If you need a brighter light, you can still find garden solar lights that use either a fluorescent bulb or more than one LEDs.   Just ask questions before you purchase!

Garden solar lights are a simple, inexpensive eco-friendly way to improve your landscape.  For a small upfront investment you can enjoy lights for years, whether for safety or just ambiance.

Light up your landscape and lift your spirits.