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Posted by Dara Greaney on 10/12/2023 toLED Lights
What Is the Difference Between LED Lights and LED Solar Lights?
One of the most commonly asked questions in this lighting age is the difference between LED lights and solar lights. A lot of people often wonder whether a 100W solar lamp can achieve the same brightness level as a 100W LED light. And, apart from the brightness level, are there other differences between these two types of lighting?
In order to differentiate the LED and solar lighting, there are a few things that you must note. First of all, it is essential to note that "solar" indicates a way in which energy may enter a system. In the case of solar lighting systems, it denotes that the systems get their electricity from solar cells. The source of energy for solar cells is the energy from the sun. On the other hand, LED denotes how energy leaves a system, usually in the form of light generated by diodes. LEDs are driven by electricity. LED lighting is the direct power supply of the grid.
Electricity from various sources, including solar cells, can be used for various purposes, including driving LEDs. Therefore, solar lights and LED lights are neither antithetical nor equivalent. The most obvious correlation is that the impracticality of solar power implies that it must be eked out efficiently, and LED lights are the most efficient lighting systems at the moment.
"Understanding the difference between the two lighting systems is crucial for their appropriate application." - Bill G. - General Manager at LEDLightExpert.com
This blog will examine how the difference between the two lighting systems influences their applications.
What to Know About LED Lights
A light-emitting diode (LED) is a light source comprising two semiconductors. Otherwise known as a pn-junction diode that emits light upon activation. LED is a semiconductor that gives light when electric current flows through it. The current passing through an LED causes the electrons to recombine with holes emitting light. LEDs only allow the current to flow in the forward direction. This system blocks the current from flowing in the reverse direction.
The two semiconductors are made of astringent materials categorized as p-type or n-type. The n-type and p-type materials are dipped into a substance called "a doping agent." The doping process slightly alters the electrical properties of these materials from their unaltered, pure, or "intrinsic" form, i.e., the i-type.
What are the components of LED Lighting?
When the diode only allows the forward flow of current, the minority electrons are sent from p to n. At the same time, the minority holes are sent from n to p. The whole process increases the concentration of minority carriers at the junction boundary. Then, the excess minority carriers at this particular junction recombine with the majority charge carriers. Upon this recombination, the energy is released as photons in a phenomenon known as electroluminescence. And this is the case with the light-emitting diodes. In the standard diodes, this energy is released in the form of heat.
Electroluminescence is an electrical and optical phenomenon where a material emits light in response to the passage of an electrical current. The emitted light is usually directly proportional to the forward voltage until it reaches a maximum.
What are the advantages of LED lights?
The increasing popularity of LED lights is highly attributed to their advantages, which include the following:
- They consume less energy and require low operational voltage.
- They are environmentally friendly.
- No warm-up time is required.
- They exhibit long life and ruggedness.
- High level of brightness and good light quality.
What is solar LED lighting?
Solar lighting can be described as outdoor lighting powered by the sun. The energy is collected or absorbed by the solar panel during the day. The absorbed energy is then used to charge a battery that will power the fixture in the absence of the sun.
"If you are looking to illuminate a garden, pathway, street, etc. LED Solar lights can be the right choice for you" - Bill G. added.
What are the the essential components of solar lights?
- A solar panel (EV).
- A high-efficiency fixture.
- A rechargeable battery. Note that there are several types of batteries.
- Controller.
Solar lights make use of photovoltaic (PV) cells. These cells absorb energy from the sun, creating an electrical charge that passes through the panel to the battery. Wires are used to connect the solar cells to the battery. It is in the battery where the electrical power is converted and stored as chemical energy until required.
The stored energy will later be used to power a lighting fixture. Due to the amazing combination of LED lighting and solar lighting, using solar energy to power an LED bulb is highly recommended. The energy efficiency of LEDs explains why they are ideal for solar lighting systems, like solar parking lot lights.
What are the advantages of Solar LED lights?
The ever-increasing popularity of solar lighting systems is attributed to the following advantages:
- Solar lights rely on readily available solar energy to power lighting systems.
- They are environmentally friendly.
- Their off-grid operation promotes off-grid living.
- Ease of installation
- Cost-effectiveness
What are the Main Differences between LED Lights and Solar Lights?
LED are energy-efficient lights that convert electrical energy to light. They rely on the traditional wiring system, with the main power supply or a battery as their energy source. In contrast, self-contained solar lights draw power from solar energy. Below is a breakdown of this difference:
- Power Source – LEDs draw their power from a battery or main power supply, while solar lights are powered by energy from the sun.
- Energy Efficiency – Both systems would effectively cut down monthly expenses in terms of electricity consumption. However, investing in LEDs will pay back much faster. Using the two types of lights together is an even better way to go about your home lighting project.
- Installation and Wiring – Installing solar lights is far much easier than LEDs. Unfortunately, despite the ease of installation of solar lights, the initial cost is quite large. It is approximated that the initial investment of installing solar lights can be up to four times more than the traditional LED lights.
- Dependence on Sunlight – Unlike LEDs, which depend on the grid's direct power supply, solar lights draw their power from the sun, meaning they are rendered functionless in the absence of sunlight.
How to Choose the Right Lighting Solution
Lighting is a vital element of any space. Therefore, whether for your home or business, it is essential to ensure that you purchase the right lighting solution. Unfortunately, doing so can be challenging, mainly because of the wide range of options available in the market. The good news is that you can enhance your chances of making the most informed decision by making the following considerations:
Considerations for indoor and outdoor lighting
The location of installation is very important because the bulbs not designed to be used outdoors will not function as they are supposed to when exposed to moisture. In contrast, outdoor lights are more versatile since they can be applied indoors without affecting performance.
Analyzing energy needs and available resources
The energy need of your space should always be among the initial considerations to make before making a purchase. Among the aspects to keep in mind when analyzing the energy needs of space include the role of the space, aesthetics, as well as the size of the space. The other aspect to consider concerning the energy needs of your space is the available resources. Acquiring solar lights is ideal in areas that enjoy a lot of sunlight hours throughout the year. They are also ideal for areas without access to the national power grid.
Assessing Environmental impact and sustainability goals
LEDs are generally known to be environmentally friendly. Solar lights are also known for the same. Combining the two is an effective way of positively impacting the efforts of clean environment and sustainability campaigns.
References:
https://infra.market/blog/3-easy-ways-to-find-the-right-lighting-solution-for-your-space/
https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-choose-lighting-5201681#:~:text=Selecting%20lighting%20for%20a%20space,it%20is%20a%20decorative%20fixture.
https://belmanhomes.com/how-to-choose-the-right-lighting-for-your-home/
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/for-energy-savings-leds-outshine-solar-panels/
https://solarverity.com/solar-lights-vs-led-lights/
https://canadianhometrends.com/landscape-lighting-solar-vs-led/
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