I'm currently evaluating my ecological profile as a designer and therefore investigating sources of good quality solar products to install in client's gardens. Main focus is naturally lighting, but then also water features and thereafter I'm still curious as to the benefit of any further solar innovation.
Currently there is a clear abundance of suppliers but as yet I have not been able to discover any reliable sources of evaluation of the actual quality of the products and the longevity of the manufacture ie. professional user ratings or reviews. As we are all no doubt aware Joe Public can invest £15 on a set of small solar bollards and be quite happy with the value of his investment, even if they fail after 6 months or so; were a designer or landscaper or gardener to do the same on his behalf, and said items fail after 6 months, then that reflects poorly on our provision of service - so it's a sketchy 'oul market as far as I can see!
Any pointers or recommendations folks?
Cheers, Nicky @ GardenImprovements.com | @gardndesign
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It is a pity that there has, as yet, been no response to my query, but is this perhaps indicative of a general lack of knowledge, understanding and confidence in solar products? Perhaps so, but surely some of you guys out there at least share a similar interest?
Nicky @ GardenImprovements.com | @gardndesign
Hi Nicky. I commend you for investigating the possibility of solar options, and I am ever hopeful that the technology and manufacturing methods will improve to the point where solar is truly a viable option for garden lighting. The output from current products is only suitable for certain situations and uses – marker lights etc – but that may be sufficient for a particular client’s requirements. The quality of build – and, therefore, the longevity – of solar powered lights does vary, and tends to go up in line with price, as one might expect.
My business is dedicated to being as green as possible, so keeping a keen eye on technological developments is absolutely crucial to us. You might find that current alternatives to solar will still sit comfortably with your ecological profile. We are finding that clients are increasingly willing to spend the extra required for complete, traditionally powered, LED solutions, in order to be friendly to the environment. The higher spend is, of course, actually an investment, as the overall running/maintenance/replacement costs will actually be less. LEDs do pose new challenges for lighting designers, and some horrible mistakes can be made by those who are not sure quite how to use them. However, with prices constantly dropping, and efficiency and variety increasing, LED technology is undoubtedly going to play a growing part in garden lighting of the future.
Carbon footprint is, of course, not the only consideration when lighting a garden. We must also remember the impact of light on the night time environment. Whatever technology is employed, the principal aim must be to eradicate light spill into the sky and other properties. I regularly advise on light pollution and light nuisance, and am often bemused by the lack of awareness of how much damage bad, or no, design can do.
I don’t get to check the LJ forums that often but I’m more than happy to discuss further if any of this helps.
Cheers, Andrew
Aceum Lighting Design
Hi Andrew - thanks, I found your response very helpful and would love to hear some more of your thoughts and advice on design considerations and what is considered good practice from an environmental point of view: perhaps you could right a blog article on the subject for the benefit of the network?
So far I have simply been indicating to my electrician where we want the lights and he does the rest, usually at a mid-construction phase of the project. It would be better if I had more knowledge on the subject so that I can plan the lighting effectively during the design stage; so any further info you can offer on LED or alternative lighting especially in regard to manufacture quality and installation method/time.
Many thanks, Nicky @ GardenImprovements.com | @gardndesign
I have little experience with it but recently installed a solar pir light for a client which she got from 'Powerbee'
It is very effective and gives out a very bright led which has the added bonus of being very white light quality and therefore strong at night.
Charges well and functions nicely. Only a year old though so time will tell with battery life etc.