SPECIAL SECTION: OUTDOOR & GARDEN
COSTCO CONNECTION
Find these items for lighting up your outdoors in Costco warehouses or at Costco. com. au.
LET THERE BE LIGHT
Homeowners can illuminate an outdoor pathway with solar lights in the same way they can with conventional lights. Stagger lighting fixtures every two to three metres along your chosen pathway.
Set your lights back about 45cm from the walkway to maximise illumination. Lights that project downward will be the most beneficial to people walking on the pathway. The LED bulbs in solar fixtures will provide homeowners with long- lasting illumination on their pathways.
Naturally Solar LED Solar Pathway Lights 4-Pack Item 1937955
LUTEC Solar Security Light Item 1806398 built-in solar panels and batteries, there’ s no need for complex wiring or electrical work,” he says.
How it works
“ Generally, solar lighting consists of three different components: a collection of photovoltaic cells( i. e., solar cells), a low power light like a light-emitting diode( LED) and an energy storage device like a battery,” says Richard Ketcham, who holds a doctorate in electrical engineering from KU Leuven, a research university in Belgium.
“ With solar lighting, the photovoltaic cells are used to convert solar energy – light from the sun – to electrical energy, which is then stored in a battery and used to generate light at a later time.”
Beyond the ecological benefits, solar lighting requires minimal effort to put in
place – string them up, secure the stakes in the ground or set out the decorative lights. Once installed, most solar lighting units work automatically.
This is unlike more traditional lighting, which relies on power continuously generated by power plants and supplied by the utility power lines, Richard says.“ Products charge through the day with the sun and light at night with that stored energy,” says Costco member Domenic Albanese, a marketing consultant with GTX.
Easy maintenance
Proper seasonal maintenance is necessary for solar lighting panels and will help you get the most from your display. It’ s important to clear leaves and other debris off the panels to ensure consistent collection of energy. Avoid power
washing and instead clean by simply wiping panels with a warm, damp cloth.
“ While solar lights are designed to withstand various conditions, extreme weather can impact their longevity,” Tim says. He recommends bringing them indoors during severe weather events.
He also suggests customers replace the batteries in their units every other year. When lights go dim, won’ t stay lit as long or turn off completely, it’ s time to replace dead batteries with ones that have the same specifications.
“ People are astonished they can get this much light or this much ambience out of solar lighting,” Domenic adds, a sentiment that indicates the effectiveness of solar lighting for many homes.
Clayton Trutor is a US-based writer for Costco Connection.
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