Landscape & Urban Design Issue 37 2019 | Page 22

SOLAR LIGHTING WITH STRENGTH Awareness and knowledge of Solar 1. Environmentally friendly 3. Very Low Installation Costs lighting is increasing, as well as There is currently a positive and Unlike 240v mains lighting where improvement in the technology used proactive drive to try and save an electrician is required usually in Solar products including related our planet in any way possible and for long periods of time to bury technologies like ‘LED’. Unfortunately, rightly so. Solar energy is one of the armoured cable (for example), It can lower cost solar lights tarnished the World’s most innovative renewable be as simple as fixing solar lights in industry. They were often extremely power sources. It uses no power place once – job done! cheap, didn’t last much more than from the grid, just solar power a season, and illuminated dimly. to charge rechargeable batteries Nowadays, thanks to a few forward- during the day, stored and ready to thinking companies, long-lasting solar be used at night. maintenance is required, especially 2. No Energy Cost quality LEDs are used gives them a path lights that charge sufficiently on dull days with high outputs are easier 4. Maintenance Free Once in place, very little with the latest designs. The fact high to find. Even after a higher initial cost, the long lifespan anyway, but be sure to overall and ongoing savings with source fittings that use Lithium Ion When considering outdoor lighting for Solar are considerable, especially batteries for up to 8 years life. any premises, the benefits of ‘going with newer designs which last Solar’ is obvious. longer. There can also be financial incentives to use solar when dealing with commercial projects. 5. No restraints on positioning It can be costly and difficult to feed 240v power to a desired location. Solar lights are naturally versatile and can solve this issue effectively. 22 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 37 2019