Solar outdoor lighting

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Posted by Annie on November 22, 2000 at 02:11:11:

The solar light that I am describing come with
three major parts:
1) The light with battery attached.
2) the solar panel
3) a 10 foot power cord to connect #1 and #2.

The solar panel needs to be attached to a sunny
place on the side or roof of the building with
three screws. This takes about 3 minutes for the accomplished do-it-yourself-er and less than
10 minutes for the neophyte.
After the panel is attached to the building, the panel will needto be focussed on the noon sun. Getting this exacly correct took usabout 4 days of minor adjustments at the noon hour. So it follows that this part is easier when the placement of the solar panel is such that it does not require an awkward ladder for access.

The light/battery needs to be attached to the building with 2 screws. These are a little trickier and
might take a neophyte as long as 20 minutes to adjust properly to both secure and balance the light fixture, especially in earthquake country.

The weak link in the system is the wiring between the two units. It doesn't seem sturdy enough to stand up to freezing temperatures as it is not much thicker nor more insultated than headphone wires.
The other design flaw, for icey applications is
that the wire plugs into the bottom of the light/battery assembly. I can easily see where this
would be helpful in rainy climates, like San Francsico,
to help keep rain out of the battery. But in freezing climates, where icicles form, the wieght of an icicle might well pull the connecting wire out of the battery housing altogether.

A different solar light model, or some attention to this possibilty during installation may eliminate
this worry.

Total cost of installation and operation: $60.00

Conventional light installation for the same area:
$30.00 hardware
$90.00 Electrician
========
$120.00

Conventional light operation costs (Annually):
$240.00

At current Electrician and Pacific Gas and Electric rates that means that this light paid for itself before it began operation.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give this
Solar Porch Light an 8.0 with one full point off
of the flimsy, thinly insulated wire, and one point
off for less than wonderfully attractive style, overall. hassle and worry. This light is not going to start
a fire in the 80 year old wiring on my front porch.>

That's all for now.

What have you seen, or tried in alternative energy this week?

Annie
San Francisco, CA

Follow Ups:

Re: Solar outdoor lighting Bea Dewing 08:33:41 12/01/2000 (0)

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: The solar light that I am describing come with : three major parts: : 1) The light with battery attached. : 2) the solar panel : 3) a 10 foot power cord to connect #1 and #2. : The solar panel needs to be attached to a sunny : place on the side or roof of the building with : three screws. This takes about 3 minutes for the accomplished do-it-yourself-er and less than : 10 minutes for the neophyte. : After the panel is attached to the building, the panel will needto be focussed on the noon sun. Getting this exacly correct took usabout 4 days of minor adjustments at the noon hour. So it follows that this part is easier when the placement of the solar panel is such that it does not require an awkward ladder for access. : The light/battery needs to be attached to the building with 2 screws. These are a little trickier and : might take a neophyte as long as 20 minutes to adjust properly to both secure and balance the light fixture, especially in earthquake country. : The weak link in the system is the wiring between the two units. It doesn't seem sturdy enough to stand up to freezing temperatures as it is not much thicker nor more insultated than headphone wires. : The other design flaw, for icey applications is : that the wire plugs into the bottom of the light/battery assembly. I can easily see where this : would be helpful in rainy climates, like San Francsico, : to help keep rain out of the battery. But in freezing climates, where icicles form, the wieght of an icicle might well pull the connecting wire out of the battery housing altogether. : A different solar light model, or some attention to this possibilty during installation may eliminate : this worry. : Total cost of installation and operation: $60.00 : Conventional light installation for the same area: : $30.00 hardware : $90.00 Electrician : ======== : $120.00 : Conventional light operation costs (Annually): : $240.00 : : At current Electrician and Pacific Gas and Electric rates that means that this light paid for itself before it began operation. : On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give this : Solar Porch Light an 8.0 with one full point off : of the flimsy, thinly insulated wire, and one point : off for less than wonderfully attractive style, overall. <You can't decorate, or match older housing designs with these lights, but you can save energy, : hassle and worry. This light is not going to start : a fire in the 80 year old wiring on my front porch.> : That's all for now. : What have you seen, or tried in alternative energy this week? : Annie : San Francisco, CA : : :

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