Outdoor Solar Lights ... Solar Flood-Lighting & Security Applications

In this article I will try to cover many of the outdoor solar lighting applications that were not covered in Solar Garden Lights - and there are plenty to cover. Most garden lights that I have dealt with are ornamental; whereas there are many more serious uses for solar powered lighting - but relatively few manufacturers or distributors. Indeed, one company appears to have a worldwide monopoly for most of the following cases.

Almost anywhere you can think of where there is an outdoor light this spot can be filled by a solar powered replacement light. And in many cases a solar powered replacement light can show a considerable saving in money. Take for instance airport lighting. The cost of installing runway and taxiway lighting of the conventional type at an airport is astronomical. As an example, an airport in California recently installed 850 taxiway edge lights (solar powered) at a saving of $850,000! Other airport lights covered by solar power include obstruction lights, threshold and approach lights, and for military use infrared runway lights that can only be seen by a pilot wearing Night Vision Goggles.

Marine uses are almost as plentiful as aviation uses. Riding lights for yachts, port and starboard channel lights, oilrig lights the list is endless. Solar powered marine lights are being used all over the world for many of the main marine lights - the only maintenance is that the battery pack in these lights needs to be replaced every five years. There are even solar lights installed by the US military along the Khawr 'Abd Allah Waterway in Iraq.

Solar lighting is being used in the USA and Canada for street lighting, programmable school zone flashers, pedestrian crossings, illuminated street signs and traffic signals as well as stop signs and hazard warning signs. It is also being used for bus stops and bus shelters In every one of these cases there is the huge advantage of the being no need for any wiring. There is also a whole range of products for railway applications. 

Two applications that I have not yet mentioned but that are more suitable for the general public are solar floodlighting and security lighting. The latter is movement sensitive and both have the advantage of being erectable in remote positions without the need for expensive cabling. Both of these products are highly desirable in any number of sensitive environments.