Solar Power Home

Solar powered flashlights generally look quite similar to a regular flashlight. They have a simple switch that turns them on and off. They have an area on one end that emits light…sufficient to allow it to be used at night or in any dark area.

Using sunlight energy, a solar powered flashlight converts that energy into electrical power in a solar photovoltaic (PV) cell or panel that sits on the outside cover of the flashlight. The solar generated power is stored in a battery. A Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamp is generally used in a solar powered flashlight instead of an incandescent light bulb, because LED’s last longer, and take less electrical current to operate. LED’s, on average last for about 10,000 hours, compared to an incandescent light that has lasts about 1,000 hours.

Similarly, solar charged batteries that are used in the solar powered flashlight, as compared to the normal, single use nickel, lithium, or cadmium batteries generally seen in flashlights, usually will not require replacement for about two years with steady use. The comparison rate is about 15 hours for a regular battery, compared to around 2500 hours for a solar rechargeable battery.

If you want to get the most out of your solar charged batteries, leave your solar flashlight on for 15 hours or more at least once a month. This will fully expend the charge. Because rechargeable batteries have a memory effect, so if you keep using your flashlight without fully discharging it, it isn’t going to be able to return to 100 percent of its available power, and will eventually only recharge to a lower memory level.

The window sill is the perfect place for your solar powered flashlight when you’re not using it. By placing the solar panel of the flashlight where it will get the most sunlight that’s available, you’ll be maximizing its power. If you’re not using it regularly, though, make sure you turn it on and leave it on for at least 15 hours to discharge the battery.

Look around any hardware store today, and you’ll find a number of solar powered flashlights. They’re very useful for emergencies and when you want to go camping. Put one in each of your vehicles, and a couple in various places in your home. Remember those times in the past when you really needed your regular flashlight, then found it only to discover the batteries were dead…or you couldn’t remember where the new batteries were?

Now, you can find some extremely clever solar flashlight designs. Additions like flashers, cell phone chargers, and sirens, even, as well as just the basic solar flashlight. Plus, you’ll also find a number of cool solar flashlight key chains on the market today. As for price, it really varies. Like most items, you’ll pay for the uniqueness of the style, the additional functions, and the outside case.

And if you’re into “spreading the light” from a solar powered flashlight, check out bogolight.com. The name for this website came from “Buy One, Give One.” The company that operates the BoGoLight Program, called SunNight Solar, is a limited liability company founded by Mark Bent in 2006. Mark served in the American Diplomatic Corp in various developing countries, and saw the need for light in many places. So he set about finding a way to provide. Purchasing one solar flashlight at BoGoLight, or one of its affiliates, like InHabitat, sends another identical solar flashlight donation to a non-profit organization set up to collect and ship the flashlights throughout the world to areas where they are needed.

Shining a little light, in a very solar way, is a unique and wonderful method to help others who sit in the dark at night be able to see…even after the sun’s gone down.

Learn more about solar power lights. Stop by Timothy Peters’s site where you can find out all about home solar power and what it can do for you.