Efficiency of Solar Lights

Solar powered lights operate according to a very straightforward principle. They take the light from the sun and convert the energy it contains into electricity which is made use to charge a battery. When it becomes dark a light sensitive switch initiates the solar light to come on. The light is powered by the electricity stocked in the battery and will continue to be illuminated until all the charge in the battery is used.



This is uncomplicated in concept but the machinery required to make this come about is not so simple and only lately it has become promising to make solar lights that are small, efficient and economical enough to be affordable by the majority of consumers. Each light or set of lights will have a very small solar panel to catch the rays of the sun. The solar cells in the solar panel utilize the photovoltaic effect to convert the light they collect into electricity. Exclusive electronics then uses this electricity to charge the battery, which is mainly part of the solar panel or light unit.



The solar cell is the most essential part of the technology used in all solar panels and it is repeatedly being studied to find enhanced and more economical ways to convert sun light into electricity. Over time this will definitely be improved upon and solar lights will then become much brighter and illuminate for much longer. The light sensitive switch and the electronics which manages the release of the battery's electricity are fairly standard components although over time they too will be superior to grant more efficient solar lighting for everyone.



The solar panel, whether a separate mini panel or integrated into the light unit, must be installed so that it receives sun light during the day. If it is located in the shade it will not work. In spite of this the solar panels on most outdoor solar lights will now work on cloudy days though not quite as well as on a day with a clear sky.



Science and technology and improved construction processes means that improvement of solar lights will continue far in to the future, so expect to see more and more innovative uses for solar powered lights particularly when the power and amount of the light beam is improved beyond what it is now. Whichever way you look at it solar powered lights are here to stay and will only get better with time giving us all the chance to light areas outside our home with zero electricity costs, which has to be a good thing.