If you’re looking to illuminate your yard or provide a little extra light around your home but don’t want to raise your electricity bill, you should consider installing a solar-powered flood light.
Solar flood lights are an effective and affordable fix for any outdoor lighting problem whether it be for your driveway, sidewalk, or front door. There is also the added benefit of the floodlights being powered by solar energy.
In recent years, the market for solar floodlights has grown exponentially, with brands now offering brighter, longer-lasting, and more affordable options.
To help you find the right solar flood light for your home, we’ve named our top 5 solar flood lights and looked at what to consider when choosing a solar flood light for your home.
Let’s dive in.
Key takeaways
- Solar flood lights are an effective and affordable fix for any outdoor lighting problem whether it be for your driveway, sidewalk, or front door.
- Some of the best solar flood lights available include the TBI security solar light and the Westinghouse solar flood light.
- The main considerations when selecting a solar flood light include brightness, price, coverage distance, and sensors.
What to consider when picking a solar flood light
Brightness
Perhaps your most important consideration when looking for an outdoor solar flood light is its brightness. Depending on what your intentions are for the light and the area you’re planning to illuminate, the light’s brightness is an essential factor.
The brightness and intensity of a solar flood light can be measured in lumens. The higher the lumens, the higher the brightness of the light will be. For example, the standard indoor lightbulb is approximately 800 lumens while flood lights will usually range between 700 to 2,000 lumens, depending on the type and size of the light.
While it may seem obvious to go for the brightest light, it is important to know that the brighter the light the more energy it will consume. This will mean that the light will require more time to charge and possibly even additional solar panel kits.
Features
You should also consider what additional features the solar flood light has. These features may not be essential but they could just give a particular product the edge over another.
One of the additional features that you may come across is different lighting modes that could allow you to brighten or dim the light as well as switch between standard lighting or motion sensing.
Some of the other common additional features include mounting systems or hardware, extra cable length, or WiFi connectivity.
Battery capacity
When you purchase a solar flood light it will be accompanied by a rechargeable battery. The battery will be charged during the day for that energy to then be used during the night. It is important to check the battery capacity of any solar flood light you’re looking at as it indicates how long the light can run.
A solar flood light’s battery is measured in milliamp hours (mAh). The higher the mAh rating, the larger the light’s battery capacity. The battery capacity of a solar flood light will often range between 2,000 mAh to 4,000 mAh. For a longer-lasting battery, you should look for solar flood lights with a higher mAh rating.
Warranty
A product warranty ensures you of its quality and is a testament to the confidence that the manufacturer has in the product. That is why a lot can be taken from the warranty that brands provide.
Solar flood light warranties can vary widely depending on the manufacturer and brand. Some reputable brands will offer as little as three months warranty while others will offer up to 3 years.
When purchasing a solar flood light, make sure that you have investigated the product’s warranty and understand exactly what the warranty covers.
Price
Another key factor to consider before buying solar floodlights is whether they will fit your budget. Their price will range anywhere from KES 2000 to KES 20,000 depending on the manufacturer, size, and quality. This price range doesn’t include installation.
Solar flood lights have little to no operational costs compared to other options. This is due to solar flood lights not needing to operate on a power grid and instead being powered by renewable solar energy.
Coverage distance
The coverage distance will tell you exactly how far the light will reach and will largely depend on the light’s brightness. Every solar flood light you’re looking at should supply information regarding the light’s coverage distance. It’s important to consider the coverage distance as it will help determine how many and which lights you will need.
The particular coverage distance you’re looking for will also be determined by the type of light you’re looking for. For example, a focus light will be able to shoot out light up to 10 feet in a certain direction, whereas a 360-degree light will have a very limited coverage distance.
Sensors
There are typically two types of sensors that you can find on a solar flood light. Your intentions for the solar flood light will determine which of the two sensors you require.
The first sensor type is a motion sensor. A motion sensor is a small electronic device that detects heat waves emitted from moving objects. When the detector senses something moving, such as a person or animal, the flood light will automatically turn on. The sensor light will remain on for a short period before shutting itself off.
Solar flood light with motion sensors may be best used for large areas that do not need continuous lightings, such as walkways or driveways.
The second type of sensor found on a solar flood light is a dusk to dawn sensor, otherwise known as a photocell sensor. This type of sensor will activate the light when the sun has set and automatically shut off the light once natural light has been detected.
A dusk to dawn sensor light is most appropriate for areas that need consistent lighting, such as entrances to your home or garage.
Are solar flood lights right for your home?
Solar floodlights are a great addition to any home. Whether you’re looking to light a path in your yard or provide a bit more security without raising your electric bill, solar flood lights can light up your life.
If you’re looking to further lower your electric bill, you should consider installing solar panels on your home.
