The best solar lights to get for your home and save on electricity

There are a multitude of choices of what to get and a lot more decisions have to made where to get them!

What is solar energy?

Solar power is going to be the future, and it’s going to be better than what we have right now. Solar energy has been around for a long time, but many people have never given it a second thought. It’s used all over the world, and it’s fantastic for many reasons. Solar energy is a natural source of clean, renewable energy that can power your home and provide electricity during times of darkness. Use solar panels to harness the power of the sun to provide solar energy for a sustainable and clean alternative to the traditional energy sources right inside your home.

What are the advantages of using solar energy at home?

• Saves money by using stored energy from the sun
• Can use it anywhere (as long as you have direct sunlight)
• Goes On and Off automatically
• Weather proof, can withstand harsh heat and strong rain
• Set it and leave it, minimal maintenance
• There are so many available in the market from low to extremely high wattage LED

Tips on buying Solar lights and panels online

1. Look at reviews for reputable buyers
2. Look at price and check variations accordingly, don’t jump in for the low price.. you get what you pay for. Usually there is a bait and switch that happens when you see the prices are low they may be selling the lower wattage variation. Best to check.
3. Read the specs, they actually matter. Some maybe cheaper than others and some actually offer more than others for the same price, you need to find that sulit deal.
4. Check the remote and the buttons and features they offer.. it may look the same but may offer small differences that matter to you.
5. Choose wether you want white

Basic remotes come with an on and off switch, dimmer and basic modes.. some come with fixed timer settings, It is important to get the ones that have the Auto settings, to minimize handling the remote and the light. (less handling, less chance of damage, lasts longer)

What are the available wattages?

Wattages available are 25W, 45W, 65W, 120W, 300W, there are some variations from suppliers but will have very small differences in lighting output.

What are the IP ratings and what should we look out for?

Main Differences Between IP65, IP66, and IP67

Depending on your home, garden or outdoor project, the differences between these three ratings can be very important and critical to your needs. A fixture rated with any of the three of these ratings is equally protected against dust, dirt, sand, and debris (as indicated by the “6” digit). The liquid/water protection for each of these three ratings is unique.

• IP65 – Water resistant
• IP66 – Water resistant against powerful jets
• IP67 – Protected against complete temporary water submersion

What IP ratings do you need of home use?

The answer to this question ultimately depends on the environment and surroundings in which your fixtures will be installed. If your fixtures will be subjected to dust, sand, debris, or liquids, choosing a fixture with a higher IP rating is advised. If for home use, we should worry about rain and heat.. so Generally IP 65 should work.

Since these lights will be placed outdoor, and the Philippines is either in wet or dry season, these ratings will help determine the lifespan of your outdoor lighting. IP66 protects against power jets.. which is unlikely to happen in an enclosed garden area at home. IP 67 is needed for areas that flood often and are in danger of submersion.

Here is a better graphical explanation of the numbers that go with the IP ratings.

What are the best solar floodlights to get and how big should the panels be?

When buying solar lights, the panels will depend on the wattage you are using, the bigger the panel, the higher the wattage and capacity to store the solar energy. How much wattage would i need for an open garden? That will depend what is in your garden. Remember the illumination will depend on a lot of factors including what is in the garden, white walls reflect light easily and darker wall color absorbs more light.

Again not all solar lights are created equal, test a supplier before you dive in and buy all the lights you need, stay away from those small garden lights like the ones below, They are good for specific uses, but add a little more and you have those weather proof floodlights. In terms of illumination, the floodlights are better deal, mas sulit siya and mas versatile in terms of usage.

Since these lights are smaller and have smaller solar panels, they need unobstructed sunlight charging those panels at least 6-8 hours a day.

What are the things I need to consider when getting a solar floodlight?

1. Price – find the best deal that you can get and balance of wattage, features, ip rating, delivery fees etc.. Buy during the monthly and seasonal sales online, ex. 8.8 sales, 9.9 sale, 10.10 sale, 11.11 sale, 12.12 sale or flash sales
2. Lumens does not equal Wattage – Lumens measures the total amount emitted of light emitted, while watts is the measure of power the bulb consumes. So your requiremetns will depend on other factors too, including location, size and what other items are located in the area.
3. Warranty – Not all suppliers offer warranty, some offer 1 year and some offer 2 years. Choose wisely.. even if this is an established product, it doesnt mean that it is perfect, there are still some that arrive defective or dont last as long as others. So best to test them as soon as they arrive.
4. Reviews – check supplier reviews quantity and quality, go with the trusted suppliers.
5. Location – Some of these items are aleady warehoused here in the Philippines, Find a supplier that can pack and ship to you soonest.
6. Check Vouchers available– You can get good deals on store vouchers, wallet vouchers or use of coins or discounts available in app.
7. Check Features – I have tried several suppliers and they all our different, from remote, remote features, to light housing and durability, even the panels are different and come with screws, washers and brackets.
8. Buy from reputable online stores – There are online stores that resell or do dropship, make sure your supplier is reputable and wont send you a box of paper or bogus order.

How to save money using solar lights

Solar lights, unlike their counterparts used for lighting of houses, provide a continuous source of light for an extended duration of time, unlike the original incandescent lamps. For these reasons, solar lights are ideal for areas that are away from mains electrical power, such as backyard patios, garden sheds, and even exposed outdoor furniture.

Solar lighting has been a hot topic in the Philippines as of late. With solar panels currently being installed in residential houses, and solar panels becoming more affordable, people are more than eager to get into the solar lighting scene.

Solar lighting as security feature and crime deterrent

Solar lights are becoming a popular choice for security systems, particularly since solar lights have a long battery life. They also produce a lot of heat, so they can be used as a heat source for your house, improving the energy efficiency of your home. Solar light that are well placed can be a deterrent for crime and can keep the home safe.

Solar lighting as garden accent or decorative pieces

Prices and access to these solar lighting is available for anyone with an account in Lazada or Shopee. Why these 2 because you can find the suppliers that have the best products for your garden.

Solar lights are here to stay

Solar is a source of energy that is clean, affordable, reliable, and sustainable. It is an energy source that is free and limitless. Solar energy has already replaced the use of fossil fuels in many applications, in both developed and developing worlds. Solar energy can also be used to power homes, farms, and other structures to provide light, heat, and electricity.