Some things to look out for when purchasing a solar flood light:
Brightness
As with the vast majority of solar-powered lighting systems, solar flood lights normally use an array of bright LEDs to provide the illumination. In the specifications of the light, you should see the light output quoted in ‘lumens’; the higher the number, the brighter the light. As a guide, a 250 lumen flood light equates to around the same light output as a 60 watt incandescent bulb.
Power Source and Battery Life
A design which allows you to place the solar panel a few feet away from the light itself can be beneficial in some situations. Obviously, you want the panel to be able to receive the maximum amount of sunlight during the day, so if you want to mount the light in a shady spot, this could be a problem. In this instance, being able to install the panel in a different location is a must. A good quality light should store enough charge during the day for between 8 and 12 hours of nighttime light.
Unless you choose a model with built-in motion detection, then the light will automatically switch itself on at dusk and off at dawn (though most models have a separate on/off switch as well). If you’re more interested in security rather than general illumination, then choose a model with a passive infrared detector which will cause the light to turn on for a preset time when movement is detected within range of the sensor.
Mounting and Installation
Most solar flood lights are designed to be fixed to a wall and allow you to angle the light for best effect. However, some can also be mounted on poles or on ground spikes. Look for a unit which allows you to angle the beam in two planes (i.e. both horizontally and vertically), some of the cheaper models may only allow vertical adjustment.
As with all solar powered lights, installation is extremely simple since no connection to the electrical grid is required and there are no cables or dangerous voltages to worry about. It really is just a simple matter of attaching the light, and solar panel if it’s separate from the main unit, to a suitable surface.
These lights are designed to be maintenance-free. The LEDs last for many years and never need to be changed, the batteries however will degrade over time – all rechargeable batteries have a limit on the number of times they can be charged/discharged.