Solar lighting is becoming increasingly popular in the home. For many reasons, solar lights are being preferred to traditional lights. Solar LED floodlights are no exception and can be seen on roofs, terraces and gardens.
However, not everyone really knows the importance of switching to solar energy, and especially to LED lamps. And if you do, then you've come to the right place. As a lighting specialist, I'll tell you more about the solar LED floodlight, how it works, how to install it, what it's for and the best cheap models.
The 5 best solar LED floodlights in 2024
-
Favourite No. 1
-
Favourite No. 2
-
Favourite No. 3
What is a solar LED floodlight?
You have probably already heard of solar floodlights or know someone who uses them. However, you may not know what they are or what they are used for. In simple terms, the LED floodlight is a lighting device that is powered by the sun. Unlike traditional lights, they do not need to be connected to a power source to work.
So, just like other solar lighting sources, the use of the solar LED floodlight is part of an ecological and environmentally friendly approach. As a result, its reputation and use is growing rapidly, hence my decision to tell you more about it. My experience in the field of lighting gives me a certain expertise.
How does the solar LED spotlight work?
The solar LED spotlight has a battery and a panel to power it. The latter is made up of photovoltaic cells whose role is to capture solar energy and transform it into electricity. In order to achieve this, the cells in question have been designed with two layers of silicon, a material known to be semi-conductive. To this end, the first layer was filled with negatively charged electrons while the second was filled with positively charged protons.
Once the solar LED projector, and therefore the photovoltaic cells, are exposed to the sun, the negatively charged electrons in the first layer will move towards the positively charged protons in the second layer. This meeting will then create a source of direct current.
However, the amount of electricity produced by these will depend on certain factors. These include the angle of arrival of the light and its intensity. It is important to know that the weaker the sun's rays, the less energy will be stored in the battery. For this reason, solar LED floodlights are recharged during the day for use at night.
How do I properly install and maintain a solar LED floodlight?
As I said earlier, a solar LED floodlight should always be exposed to the sun so that it can recharge its batteries. Ideally, it should be placed outside during the day, especially where the sun is brightest. In addition, unlike conventional electric floodlights, you won't need to make any special connections for your solar LED floodlight to work, as it is equipped with a battery. This makes installation very simple.
In terms of maintenance and longevity, I would advise you to opt for a waterproof solar LED floodlight. This is because it will mainly be installed outdoors and may be exposed to the elements. It should therefore be able to withstand moisture and extreme weather conditions. To ensure that your device remains effective at all times, it is also important to regularly check the condition of its battery, as this is the element that deteriorates most quickly.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the solar LED floodlight?
The solar LED floodlight is becoming more and more present in our daily lives because of the many advantages it brings. However, it also has some disadvantages that should not be overlooked. So, in order for you to decide if this device is for you or not, I will expose its good and bad sides to facilitate your choice.
Benefits
On the one hand, solar LED floodlights are known to be environmentally friendly and completely self-sufficient devices. This is mainly due to the fact that they are powered by clean, non-polluting and renewable energy, namely sunlight. They are also very economical and consume very little for excellent lighting quality.
On the other hand, solar LED floodlights are very easy to install and maintain. Their batteries are also increasingly efficient and can provide you with a good source of light for several hours. Last but not least, solar-powered fixtures eliminate the risk of electrocution that can be caused by electric lights. This way, even if you have children or pets who like to play and wander around your garden or terrace, they are not in danger.
Disadvantages
Of course, the LED solar floodlight is not a perfect device, and its use can still bring some constraints. On the one hand, its effectiveness depends exclusively on the solar energy it has accumulated during the day. If this is low, then the light it produces may be of low intensity. During the winter, it may even be non-existent.
On the other hand, the battery in this type of device can be quite fragile and degrade rapidly over time. Moreover, it can also be quite difficult to replace knowing that its reference may no longer be available on the market or that it is too expensive. In the worst case scenario, it may even be necessary to change the projector.
However, you don't have to do this. You can simply buy solar LED floodlights that are only made by famous and reputable labels. And don't worry, it doesn't cost a lot of money, and you can get a brand-name device for a small price.
How much does a cheap solar LED spotlight cost and where can I find one?
The price of a solar LED floodlight can vary depending on several factors. These include the model, the brand, the manufacturer and the quality of the material chosen. In my experience, top-of-the-range models can cost up to 200 euros. However, you can still get a projector with LEDs at an affordable price.
So, for simple, durable and reliable solar LED floodlights, you will need a budget of between 10 euros and 90 euros per lamp. If you want to buy them, solar LED floodlights are relatively easy to find in shops. You can easily get them in specialised shops, in supermarkets and even on the Internet, more precisely on the large online sales platforms such as Amazon or Cdiscount.
However, I would recommend that you do not overuse the last method, especially if you are not a connoisseur. If this is the case, shops are the best alternative to get a professional opinion on the matter.
Which solar LED floodlight models should I buy?
As I mentioned above, there are different types and models of solar LED floodlights. As you can imagine, some are more efficient than others, but their efficiency will depend on your needs. For my part, I mainly work with the 3 devices I will present below.
Solar LED spotlight with motion detector
Presence detector technology (better known as motion detector technology) is becoming more and more common in the home. This is because it has many advantages and is very practical and economical, which is not always the case with traditional materials. One reason for this is that motion sensor devices no longer require a switch. They switch on automatically when they detect a presence and switch off when the presence disappears.
In the case of domestic luminaires, this principle has been adopted in the operation of solar LED floodlights. The presence ofa solar-powered floodlight with a motion detector is therefore a must in a modern, economical and autonomous house. Moreover, depending on the model, this type of projector can also be equipped with a sensor that evaluates the intensity of the ambient light. This way, they will only be switched on when it is dark.
However, this type of lighting can quickly become energy consuming if you place it in an area that is highly frequented by animals or insects. Indeed, their repeated passage could mean that the solar-powered motion-sensor LED spotlight never switches off until its batteries are exhausted.
Solar and powerful LED floodlights
The power of a solar LED floodlight depends on how you want to use it. For example, solar LED floodlights for domestic use do not particularly need to be powerful. Typically found in courtyards, gardens and terraces, a 60 LED device with 300 lumens of light can do the job perfectly. Most models of this kind have a battery life of 16 hours with a recharging time of 6 to 8 hours.
For a powerful solar LED spotlight If you are looking for a more efficient fixture, you can also opt for a 400 LED fixture with 10,000 lumens of light. However, these are high-end projectors that can be quite expensive.
For professional or continuous use, you can opt for an 84 LED solar-powered floodlight with 700 lumens or 1000 lumens of light. In order to adapt to the ambient light, the latter has different modes, including an economy mode of 55 lumens and a full power mode. In the former, the device's battery can last up to 7 hours, while in the latter, it only works for one minute. Nevertheless, they are much more energy efficient than their domestic counterparts.
Solar floodlights with sensor from Lidl
Since their launch at the end of 2021, Lidl's solar LED floodlights have been a real hit, both in terms of performance and price. The German retailer has decided to make an ecological gesture and follow the new trend in France by offering high-performance solar floodlights for less than 25 euros. These consist of two separate, tiltable rotating lamps and a 100-degree motion detector with a range of up to 8 metres.
These devices also have an autonomy of 40 hours and are automatically switched on as soon as it gets dark. In addition, for an even more energy-efficient projector, you can also adjust the duration of the light up to 60 seconds for each movement. If you want to enjoya solar projector with sensor at LidlI advise you to go there before the shops are out of stock.
My opinion
I personally find solar LED floodlights to be an excellent long-term investment. In fact, this is the case with all solar powered lighting. With them, you can enjoy the same performance as a conventional light, but without the constraints of the latter. I can therefore only recommend that you buy them.