Solar Garden Fountains - Pros and Cons

Solar powered home appliances become moreThere are many benefits of getting a solar
and more popular these days. Many people investgarden fountain rather than the electric one. The
into solar powered water and pool heaters, and ofmost obvious advantage is that energy is free.
course solar garden fountains. There are manyAn electric pump won't add much to your energy
benefits to having a solar fountain, but there arebill in a day, but if you want your fountain to
some downsides as well.work all summer, you can save a lot by using sun
How do solar powered garden fountains work?energy instead of electricity or batteries.
Usually fountains with solar pumps are very easyAnother advantage is that you are not limited by
to install. As all solar appliances they use solarproximity to a power source when selecting a
panels with Photovoltaic (PV) cells to collectplace for your fountain. This is particularly
energy of the sun. Since a fountain pump doesn'timportant for people with large gardens. You can
require a lot of energy, the panels are usuallyplace your fountain in the farthest corner from
quite small.the house, as long as the solar panels are on a
There are two main types. First are fountainssunny spot.
where solar panels are incorporated in the designAlso solar fountains are very easy to install. The
of the fountain itself. This type is the easiest toones with panels built into a body of the fountain
install, but you have to make sure that you placedon't require any special installation at all. This type
your new fountain in a sunny spot otherwise itis perfect as a solar pond fountain that sprays
won't work.water from your pond. Since there is no cord the
Another type has remote solar panels, which canfountain can just float on the surface.
be positioned several meters away from theThe main disadvantage of a solar powered garden
fountain. If you chose this type, it doesn't matterfountain is its dependence on the sun. Most pumps
whether your fountain is in a sunny or shady spotwill still work on a slightly cloudy day, but if it is
as long as the panels are exposed to the sun.really overcast the flow of water will be much
Most solar fountains with remote panels comeless. And, of course, your fountain won't work at
with easy to set up mounting system for thenight.
panels. Usually you can mount them on the wall,Also, it is best to disconnect your fountain in
use grass stakes to position them on the loan orwinter. It would work fine on a sunny day without
use a tall wooden stake to put your panel high upsnow, but snow and frost can damage your
above all the plants.pump.
Pros and cons of solar fountains