A Source of en-LIGHT-enment

Pagoda Solar Lights

I got to help my Dad install some solar powered lights yesterday around the front yard.   They were fun  and simple to put together.  I haven't had a chance to see them lit up yet, but he said they worked quite well.  They had a nice low-light emission that wasn't too bright, but provided enough illumination to avoid the steps in the front.  They didn't get the full 6-8 hours of charging needed so some only stayed lit for a few hours. They are suppose to stay lit for 8-12 hours.  They come with rechargeable batteries that can be replaced, internal on-off switch if you decide you don't want them to come on at all, otherwise they will come on at dusk and go off at dawn.

The ones he purchased didn't look quite like these from Lamps Plus, but the did have similar stakes and a similar metallic finish.  His also came in a box of 15 for just under $100 at Costco.

Link: Three-Pack Pagoda Style Solar LED Landscape Lights

CANtern Hand-cut Luminaries

I remember making punched tin can luminaries at camp as a kid.  We never mastered anything quite as remarkable as this though. A quote from the website as to why these are better than mass-produced luminaries from China:

• 100% recycled content.
• Hand made and signed by the artist.
• No questionable labor practices or sweatshops.
• Holes in the base allow water to drain.
• Safe for use indoors or out.
• Provide a great way to mark paths at night.
• When lit, the luminaries project cool flickering images.

The edges of these luminaries aren't sharp and are coated with enamels so they should last several years outdoors before they need to be repainted.  The artist is John T. Unger and while he usually works (and is best known for his mosaic art), he dabbles in other areas as well, currently working as a full-time artist.

Link: http://johntunger.typepad.com/artbuzz/2005/06/cantren_faq.html

Redoing Your Roof? Why Not Use Solar Roof Tiles

This might not actually fall under the theme of outdoor lighting, but if you are looking to capture some energy from the sun to light your home at night, you could think about new solar panels that are actually tiles for your roof.  No more big, bulky black boxes from 10 or 20 years ago.  Solar panels are actually getting more efficient too.  Now, if you hook a fluorescent light up to this setup, you're talking some serious savings on your power bill.  Installing these types of things are still expensive though.  The upside is that they generate power even if its not sunny, which is important if you live somewhere like Seattle.  Well, it will be something to think about if I ever own a house.  In the meantime, check out this site from the UK with a lot of information on photovoltaics.

Link: http://www.solarcentury.co.uk/content.jsp?sectno=4&subno=3

Outdoor Cermaic Lamps

If you're looking for some stylish lighting for a summer barbecue, steps leading up to your pool or a light to read by, you might consider these swirled ceramic lamps from SterlingPlace.com.  They claim all of their products are artisan crafted.  These lamps run about $25.  They also have a wick cover that helps with extinguishing the wick as well as keeping it dry to be lit at any time.
They have several other styles as well as several glaze finishes.  I'd order one if I didn't think it would walk off my patio!

Link: Swirled Outdoor Ceramic Oil Lamps

Unobtrusive Deck Lighting

With summer coming, if you're thinking about outdoor entertaining, you want to make sure that your guests can see obstacles in their way while outdoors after sundown.  These little lights from  Yardic.com mount in any direction and provide illumination.  One down side is that these little lights are not solar powered.

 

Prismatic Deck Light

Solar Powered Bus Shelters

Ever have to take the bus somewhere at night and you wonder about the flickering light, hoping it won't go out??  If your local transit company had, you wouldn't need to worry. I-Shelters by Carmanah have solar powered LEDs that are rated to work as far as 60 degrees north of the equator. (Think Norway, Russia, southern Alaska...), and won't freeze or malfunction from heat.

Link:http://transitlights.com/content/products/default.aspx