How Solar Yard Lights Work If you've ever wondered how solar cells work, then understanding the inner workings of solar yard lights should be of great interest. These innovative lights utilize standard solar cells in a clever and straightforward manner. >>> See more How to Install LED Light Strip for Your Smart Home Set Up? at: https://band.us/band/90424574/post/33 Harnessing the Power of the Sun In a solar yard light, a single solar cell can generate up to 0.45 volts of electricity, with the amount of current depending on the cell size and the intensity of light it receives. To increase voltage and power output, four cells are wired in series. This arrangement allows the yard light to produce a maximum of 1.8 volts and roughly 100 milliamps under bright sunlight. The solar cells are directly connected to a standard AA Nicad battery. To prevent backflow of the battery's current through the solar cell at night, a diode is strategically placed in the circuit. During the day, the battery charges, reaching its maximum capacity, except on shorter winter days or when the sky is heavily overcast. Nightfall and Illumination As night falls and the solar cells cease producing power, a photoresistor takes the stage. The photoresistor triggers the activation of an LED, just like in the automatic streetlights' operation. This setup employs a simple circuit comprising transistors, replacing the relay found in streetlights. The controller board, which receives power from the solar cells and battery, also takes input from the photoresistor. It contains a three-transistor circuit that switches on the LED once the photoresistor detects darkness. >>> See more LED Strip Lights: Enhancing Your Space with Versatile Ceiling Lighting at: https://hub.docker.com/r/bestledlightstripsblls/led-strip-lights-enhancing-your-space-with-versatile-ceiling-lighting Shedding Light on The Illumination Operating on approximately 45 milliamps and producing 1.23 volts (0.055 watts), the LED emits light equivalent to half that of a candle. While this level of brightness may not be sufficient for illumination purposes, it is ideal for marking trails. These lights provide enough visibility to see, albeit insufficient to brightly illuminate the ground. Illuminating the Cost Currently, solar yard lights come with a hefty price tag due to the cost of solar cells, and to some extent, the Nicad battery. Solar cells remain expensive to manufacture as they require silicon crystals and cleanroom conditions. Although the cost has decreased over the years, solar yard lights still range between $10 to $20 per unit. Some pricier models come equipped with a combination of an LED and a small halogen flashlight bulb. While the LED remains on at all times, the light bulb activates for a minute or two when a motion sensor detects movement. For more information on solar yard lights and related topics, check out the links below: How Solar Cells Work How Batteries Work How Do Streetlights Turn On Automatically at Night? >>> See more 12V LED Strip Lights vs 24V LED Strip Lights at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bestledlightstripsblls/53414556170