Q. What is Epanel?
We work with our manufacturer to modify some of our product to work far better than any other generic product out there. Product stamped with Epanel can be consider as the top of the range item, an elite within its own category. It is 300% – 600% brighter and last 2-3 times longer than any other generic product sold out there. To balance the cost we focus more on the operation effectiveness rather than the outlook hence, from the outside it may look common but the brightness and lighting time is far beyond any other generic product.
Below pictures show how our Epanel product stands out among others:
Q. What is Solar Garden Light?
A Solar Garden Light is a garden light equips with Solar Lighting System. It is a portable lighting fixture composed of light-emitting diode (LED), photovoltaic solar panel, and rechargeable battery. It needs NO external wiring connection because it does not run on electric grid. The integrated solar panel allow it to recharge during the day under direct sunlight and electricity is store in its built-in battery pack. At night it will automatically turn on to bright up your landscape then auto light off at day break.
Q. Why are solar garden light not as bright as other lights I’ve seen?
Solar Garden Light are usually not as bright as other forms of landscape lighting, such as high voltage spot light or conventional pole light. This does not mean they are not working properly. A garden should look differently during the night through the use of soft, low level ambient light to illuminate an object or create a focal point; overuse of spot lighting or extensive lighting will defeat the entire purpose of night garden artistic sensation.
A well-designed garden and patio lighting design incorporates varying illumination levels, colours and beam angles to create a captivating look and feel that is completely different from what the garden looks like during daylight hours. You have the opportunity to give your garden its own distinct character when dusk arrives. Being able to mix solar LED garden lighting with various decorative lights gives you the opportunity to create a stunning and captivating display
Q. How long the light could last?
A standard Solar Garden Light remain illuminated overnight and requires 8-10 hours of direct sun during the day to charge its battery. (Check out for our Epanel labelled product that could last for couple of rainy days with great brightness.)
The exact brightness and lighting duration depends on many factors:
- Wattages of the solar panel – This determine how fast it could charge its battery in a given amount of time under direct sunlight.
- Battery Capacity – How much electric current it can store for later use. The more power it has, the longer it could last.
- LED wattages – This determine its brightness, but battery running low on power will affect its brightness too.
- Product placement – Sunlight itself often doesn’t do the trick, most solar lighting product require direct sunlight. Without direct sunlight it could not charge its battery effectively therefore, lead to lower battery power.
Pros and Cons of Solar Garden Light
Pros:
- Easy to install, you can even do it on your own to save installation fees.
- Almost zero maintenance.
- Provide a cheaper alternative to wired lamps.
- No external wiring is required, free from electrical grid.
- Flexible in future garden redecoration since it is not wired and portable.
- With LED, it will not burn your hand when you come contact to the lamp.
- Provide a friendly environment to children because it is a low voltage lighting fixture powered by solar energy.
- It is a Green Product with no CO2 generating.
- Reduce monthly electrical bill.
Cons:
- Require sunlight to recharge its battery. Foggy, rainy or snowy day will reduce its ability to recharge.
- Installation location is crucial, shades from trees, house, porch overhangs or other object will affect its charging performance.
- High grade product has higher initial cost due to its bigger battery capacity and better solar panel for faster charging. But you need not to worry because the initial cost will not be followed by maintenance cost. To maintanin the device (although it is not mandatory) all you need is occasional cleaning.
Installation Guide
Shadow and shades covering the solar panel will prevent it from recharging its battery. So, install at area where the solar panel can receive maximum sunlight exposure during the day. General rule of thumb is the charging time is directly proportional to operation duration. We advise that for any new purchased product, turn the power switch to “OFF” and let it charge for 2 sunny days before usage.
(Check out our Epanel labelled product that could last for couple of rainy days with great brightness.)
Maintenances
- Although it is not mandatory, some people choose to periodically clean their fixtures in particular the solar panel area. This can be done with a nonabrasive soap, sponge and water.
- Battery storage capacity degrades over time, you may also need to replace the batteries.
Other than that, there isn’t much that can go wrong from a functioning standpoint.
Troubleshooting
- If the light doesn’t turn on during the night:
- Try switching the power button if there is one.
- Make sure there isn’t any external light shining at the light sensor (usually locate around the solar panel but not visible to naked eye). Place your palm or other non-transparent object on top of the solar panel to cover it completely, if the light turns on then it means you install at a location that are too bright for the sensor to recognise it is night time. In this case, please install the fixture at darker location.
- If is a new product, ensure it has been charged for 2 sunny days before turning on the power switch.
If the lighting duration significantly shorten as compare to the day of your first purchase:
- Ensure it is install at area where the solar panel can receive direct sunlight exposure during the day. As a general rule of thumb, the charging time is directly proportional to operation duration. In any given sunny day, 8-10 hours of charging time is the optimum point.
(Check out our Epanel labelled product that could last for couple of rainy days with great brightness.)
- Battery capacity degrades over time, try replacing the batteries.
How Solar Light Works