| With the big push to being energy efficient, | | | | is in direct relation to the amount of direct sunlight. |
| eco-friendly and independent of the power grid, | | | | If you are fearful that still standing or stagnant |
| solar power is becoming popular. Solar cells used | | | | water may be a breeding ground for disease |
| to be expensive, large, inefficient and susceptible | | | | carrying mosquitoes, the consistent (24hour) |
| to breakage. Developments in semiconductor | | | | action of an electrically powered pump in the bird |
| technology have resulted in creating solar cells | | | | bath could sufficiently agitate the water surface |
| that are more efficient requiring less surface area | | | | to alleviate this concern. There are other |
| to convert sunlight into power. The use of solar | | | | environmentally safe ways to discourage |
| power in garden and walkway lights and has | | | | mosquitoes from using your bird bath as a |
| proven very popular over the years. The next | | | | hatching area. Traditional electrical power has an |
| offerings to consumers have been solar powered | | | | advantage in offering a consistent and controllable |
| water pumps for the bird bath and pond. There | | | | flow rate for the pump. Again, ensure proper |
| are some things to consider when deciding on | | | | outdoor ratings and installation practices for your |
| using either solar or traditional electric power. | | | | bird bath. |
| Garden Lights | | | | Pond Pumps |
| In the case of solar power garden lights, the real | | | | Solar powered fountain and pond pump systems |
| plus is that you don't have to contend with wiring. | | | | have been on the market for a few years and |
| You can place the lights in strategic points of | | | | their price tag is still perceived to be exceedingly |
| interest. However, they do need to be placed | | | | high. As in the case of the bird bath or small |
| where there is full sun so that they can charge | | | | fountain scenario, the constant, accessible and |
| their batteries in the day with the power needed | | | | consistent source of sunlight is paramount to the |
| to light up at night. If you have a long period of | | | | proper functioning of a solar powered pump. |
| cloudy weather, the brilliance of the solar lights will | | | | As many water garden and koi pond enthusiasts |
| be diminished as well as the length of time they | | | | know, there are many variables in successful |
| will stay lit. | | | | pond management. The proper movement, |
| In my experience, solar lights seem to last | | | | aeration and filtration of a greater volume of |
| outdoors for about three seasons before either | | | | water, as well as the balance of sunlight, nutrients, |
| the solar cells or the rechargeable batteries fail. | | | | algae growth and solids are only a few of these |
| The disposal of the rechargeable batteries | | | | factors. Solar power pumps in this application |
| associated with solar lights can be of | | | | would not only need to deal with these issues but |
| environmental concern and must be disposed of | | | | have to generate enough power to work the |
| properly. | | | | system and enough surplus energy to store into |
| The advantage of electrical power is that you | | | | battery backup units for nighttime operation or |
| may have more brilliance for longer and more | | | | inclement weather. |
| controlled periods of time. If you intend to use | | | | If you want the daytime entertainment of a small |
| this method, make sure that the lights and wiring | | | | solar powered fountain, it should be considered |
| are rated for outdoor use and installed properly. | | | | purely decorative and not integral to the pumping |
| Bird Baths | | | | and filtration system of your pond. At present, |
| The use of solar powered pumps in bird baths | | | | the most reliable and cost-effective method of |
| has been a more recent offering on the | | | | powering a pond pump is the traditional electrical |
| marketplace. The advantage and appeal is that | | | | power route which is readily available and easier |
| you do not need to have a wire cable from your | | | | to assemble. |
| house to the bird bath or fountain. Unlike the solar | | | | Final Thoughts |
| garden lights, these water features usually do not | | | | Solar powered garden lights and water features |
| have a charging system or rechargeable batteries. | | | | are becoming a more attractive choice every |
| Stating the obvious, if it is night, there is no light | | | | year. The only setbacks at this time are |
| and the solar pump will not work. If you place the | | | | consistency of power output, power storage and |
| solar cell powered version of the bird bath in the | | | | release and implementation of the power stored. |
| shade or it is a cloudy day, chances are that the | | | | Whatever your decision, be sure that all |
| pump will not work effectively if at all. Since there | | | | installations are rated for outdoor use and wired |
| usually are no controls for most consumer | | | | properly. If you do not know how to install a |
| market solar pumps, the action of the solar pump | | | | system, get a licensed electrician to do it for you. |