Advantages And Disadvantages Of Solar Lights

Solar lights are one of the best ways to illuminate your home while saving the environment.

There are numerous ethical and financial reasons why you should use solar lights instead of ordinary lamps.

However, although solar lights have many advantages, they also have some disadvantages.

And in this article, we will go through some of the pros and cons you get by investing in solar lights.

So without further ado, let’s dig in.

Table of Contents

1. How Can Solar Lights Save The Environment?

Solar lights are great for the environment, no am not joking in fact, according to the Anthropocene magazine if we switched to clean sources of energy such as Solar Energy we will have a 65% chance of keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees, which is absolutely amazing.

What does it mean?

In simple words, the earth is now (2020) 1 degree hotter than it was in the 20th century before our factories started ridiculously emitting greenhouse gasses into the air.

If it doesn’t seem this bad, then you need to think twice.

It only took 4 degrees increase to end the ice age 12,000 years ago.

The damage we have done to the earth is irreversible, so our goal now is to survive by keeping the temperature below 2 degrees which is very possible according to the 2 degrees institute.

If we all switched to solar lights we will reduce the loads on power stations, and as a result, power stations will produce less electricity, which will highly reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases emissions.

Related Article: How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

For more information on how can more than 2 degrees increase threaten life on earth, check this video

2. How Can Solar Lights Save You Money?

Let’s be honest, probably the main reason why you aren’t totally off-grid is the high initial price.

Yes, am with you solar lights high initial cost is a drawback. However, solar lights are in fact much cheaper in the long run.

Let’s do the math of Solar Lights Vs. Electric Low Voltage lights:

The average cost per kWh in the United States is 13.31 cents
The average bulb uses 40 W/h.
Let’s say you power up 1 bulb in your home for 5 hours a day. That’s 200 Watts every day and 6 kW a month.
1 bulb electricity cost per month = 6 kW * 13.31 = 0.7986 ≃ 0.8 dollar a month, that’s $9.6 a year and $28.8 for 3 years.
A good quality Solar light bulb costs around $25 and can work for up to 8 years, however, let’s reassume it will only last 3 years.
So after all, you don’t only help the environment, but you also save $3.3 for every light you replace in your home, that’s great HUH!

Related Article: How Do Solar Powered Lights Work

3. Extremely Easy to Install

One of the main advantages of solar lights is the ease of install and placement versatility.

But, What makes solar light easy to install?

Operates with no hard wires or external cords, in other words, they will cause no hassle and keep your home tidy.
Don’t need outlets to power, all you need to do is to leave the solar panel in a sunny spot and you are all set up.
Require no electric or technical knowledge to install.
Require no maintenance at all, all you need to do is to change batteries once every 5 years and clean the dirt on them when needed.

4. Are Solar Lights Sturdy and Weatherproof?

In fact, this is one of the main reasons why solar LED lights are on the expensive side.

Think of this, most solar lights will be used outdoors. Thus, all solar bulbs must be designed with high-quality materials, so they can withstand the toughest weather conditions.

So after all, the solar lighting system high initial-cost price is an advantage not a disadvantage.

Related Article: How To Fix Solar Lights At Home

5. Can You Use Solar Lights If You Have Pets And Kids?

Solar powered lights are very safe as they operate on 12 Volt, which is absolutely harmless for both pets and kids.

Moreover, solar powered lights are well-isolated and almost all of them have an IP of 64 or higher.

Pets and kids will absolutely adore these lights and they will find it extremely entertaining to watch, as they will have different modes and joyful colors.

Also, solar lamps have no external wiring, which is a great advantage, as it highly decreases the chance of getting electrocuted, or even tripped.

The icing on the cake is the fact that even though solar lights are placed in direct sunlight, they don’t overheat at all, so you don’t need to worry about them.

6. Mobile

Being cordless makes outdoor solar powered lights extremely mobile. You can literally use them anywhere, and even if the area your wish to illuminate receives no sunlight, you can simply pick them up and change their position.

Solar powered lights can also be used as emergency lights, in fact, you can simply pick them up and use them as lanterns for a late-night walk with your family, friends, or even dogs.

7. Can You Use Solar Lights For Security?

Some solar lights have motion sensor mode, which allows them to act as security lights.

When in motion-sensing mode your solar lights will only work when someone walks by them, which makes them very effective in scaring off burglars and wild animals.

One extra benefit of having cordless and totally off-grid lights is burglars won’t be able to unplug or cut the wires, which leaves no one undetected.

Related Article: Best Solar Security Lights Review

8. Are Solar Lights Any Good?

Having solar-powered lights means that even if you suffer from power cuts for any reason, you will still be able to illuminate your house.

You will no longer need to light candles and buy dozens of trashy flashlights that will break within a month, all you need to do is to move your solar lights indoors and enjoy the powerful lighting.

9. Decorative and multi-use

Most people think of solar lights as lame plain bulbs with no life in it.

Well, you will be shocked by how much the solar industry has evolved in the past few years.

Now, there are numerous shapes, styles, sizes, and colors that will suit all your needs from simply illuminating the darkest areas to colorful and festive Christmas decorations.