Solar lights require sunlight to charge. Under a porch, they may receive limited sunlight, which can reduce their efficiency and illumination time. Proper placement is essential for optimal performance.
Solar porch lights are the most efficient, eco-friendly, and economical outdoor lights available for your homes. They are suitable for placing on the patio, deck, gazebo, balcony, garage, porch, shed, and outdoor area that needs extra lighting. They can be used for lighting up the path and also for increasing the safety and security of the home.
And the best thing is that it can be used by utilizing the power of the sun. While the initial cost might be a bit high, it is extremely economical in the long run. There is no cost involved in installing electrical wiring or power sources.
A general query that comes to the mind of many individuals is that are solar lights efficient for providing lights for covered porches. In this article, we will be dealing with this doubt of the individuals.
Will solar lights work on a covered porch?
Solar lights are available in different shapes and sizes for users. The modern ones have more KW power than the early models of solar lights. Solar lights have been so designed that they can work even when there is no direct sunlight. Though it works the best in direct sunlight, it can also be used when there is no sunlight. It can work well in cold and rainy seasons and cloudy weather.
Solar lights can work equally well even in covered porches. Solar lights need some kind of light to power themselves. It can be artificial lighting like incandescent bulbs, LED lamps, and so on. It can also be charged from the indirect rays of the sun.
Will solar-powered lights work in shade?
Shade is usually defined as a place where there is sufficiently less sunlight than in other places. Shade has different meanings. It could indicate a place where no sunlight reaches or a place where less sunlight reaches.
If the solar-powered lights are behind a tree, they will be under a shaded area. However, it will still get some light and therefore it will be able to generate enough power for efficiently working.
However, for getting the best performance from solar-powered lights, it is better to place them at direct angles to the sun. There must not be anything in between to diffuse the light. It will help in better absorption of the rays of the sun.
Do solar lights have to be in direct sunlight?
The best way to charge solar lights is by keeping them in direct sunlight. However, you can charge the solar lights even when there is no direct sunlight. Even during the rainy weather or during the cold winter season, the solar lights can be charged.
For charging the solar lights without direct sunlight, place them directly under the light for charging them quickly. Place the solar lights as close as possible to the incandescent bulb, LED light, or another artificial lighting. It is done when there is not sufficient sunlight available. The distance the solar lights are from the artificial lighting source, the more time it will need to charge itself.
Solar lights have been designed uniquely. They need light in some format for powering them. Direct sunlight is not an absolute necessity for charging them. Therefore solar lights can be charged in different ways.
Keeping the solar lights dust and dirt free will ensure that they are charged properly even in the absence of direct sunlight. Keeping the solar lights clean will ensure that light can be absorbed by them properly. During cloudy days, the amount of absorption is low. And on top of that, if there is dirt or dust on the lights, the absorption rate will go down more. Cleaning can be done with a cloth and clean water.
For getting the best output from the solar lights, place them in the sunlight for 8 to 10 hours. The place where they will be kept must not be blocked from receiving good sunlight.
Using a mirror can also help in redirecting the sunlight to the solar lights. The mirrors need to be bigger than the solar lights. It will help in getting more sunlight.
Do solar patio lights work in winter?
Solar patio lights work well even in winter. It might be snowing heavily. As long as the solar patio lights get sufficient sunlight, they will be working well even in snow and ice. One of the biggest benefits of buying and installing such lights is that they are very easy to maintain. Regardless of the climatic conditions, the solar patio lights need less maintenance.
The solar patio lights have been designed in such a way so that they can work even in cold and icy weather conditions. They can withstand harsh temperatures and climatic conditions like heavy snowfall or rain. The solar patio lights are designed in such a way that they will build a battery charge on the solar panel. This is done when there is light snowfall happening.
If snow, debris, or ice builds up on the solar patio lights, one can wipe them clean with a dry towel. Stay away from using cleaning chemicals on the solar patio lights.
The solar patio lights must get four to five hours of direct sunlight so that they can work from dusk to dawn.
Final words
To conclude, it can be understood that solar lights will function equally well in covered porches as on the outside of the homes. They just need some kind of light source to power themselves. This can be from the direct rays of the sun or artificial light sources like LED lamps, incandescent bulbs, and others. Whatever may be the source, the solar lights will be powered efficiently.
Solar power is the future. This is the most economical and eco-friendly energy source available for the humankind. Investing in solar lights for the porches at the home is a good start for most individuals. It will reduce your expenditure and expose you to the unlimited energy of the sun.
Eng. Matthew Joseph Nandirio is the Founder of walkingsolar.
After graduating from the University of Houston in 2002, matt started working as a Solar Electrical Engineer for several multi-national solar energy companies.
He has a wide range of experiences including solar system requirement analysis, planning, maintaining, debugging and even solar device development through research.
He now shares his 20 years of expertise through his articles on the walkingsolar website.
Further, he is also the author of two books on Solar Technology, “Solar Power for Villages” and “DIY Solar System for Dummies”.