Posted in: Solar Outdoor Lighting | November 30, 2015
UPDATED July 28, 2022 The future of LEDs is bright. LEDs take the least amount of energy and are rapidly being perfected in brightness and appearance — evolving from their bluish/white glow into a variety of incandescent, warmer options. It’s no wonder they have gained dominance in the marketplace.
Whether you are interested in the quality of light or the energy-saving benefits, it’s time to start thinking in terms of lumens when it comes to how bright you want your outdoor space to be. How many lumens you need, depends on the use of the area you are lighting.
For commercial solar lighting applications, we recommend using Foot Candle (or Lux in the metric system) as the measurement to determine how illuminated a surface should be. For more on Watts, Lumens and Foot Candles in commercial solar lighting, see our Commercial Grade Solar Lights: Guide to Watts, Lumens and Foot Candles – Part 1 blog.
What is a Lumen?
A lumen is simply a unit of measurement of visible light. When shopping for newer, energy-efficient LED light bulbs, understanding light output in lumens is essential. Not surprisingly, more lumens equal more brightness. If you are looking for the brightest LED bulb for floodlights for example, simply find the one with the most lumens.
How Do Lumens Compare to Watts?
Watts and lumens measure two different things. Wattage measures the amount of electrical power the light bulb consumes. In the old days, when we shopped for incandescent light bulbs, we loosely estimated the brightness of a bulb based on how much power it required.
Lumens, on the other hand, measure the actual brightness — regardless of how much power is needed. Buying a light based on lumens is actually a more accurate way to determine the brightness than buying a light based on wattage.
Does aHigher Wattage Mean aBrighter Light?
Nope. Not anymore. A long time ago, conventional logic dictated that a bulb with higher wattage would produce a brighter light but today, this isn’t always the case. Thankfully, advances in modern lighting allow us to produce more light using less energy. A 23-watt LED for instance, can produce the same amount of light (or lumens) as a 100-watt incandescent — and the technology is only getting better!
Are Your Outdoor LED Lights Bright Enough?
Whether it’s for saving money on electricity or being an environmentally aware homeowner, many people have already switched to energy-saving LED bulbs for their outdoor lights. Many have even switched to solar powered LED outdoor lights saving hundreds of dollars per year on their electricity bill while enjoying bright, highly durable and beautifully designed lights.
Because most of us are still used to thinking of light output in terms of watts, here is a cheat sheet to give you an idea of the average lumens needed for various outdoor LED lighting.
| LED Outdoor Light | Recommended Lumens | Gama Sonic Lights |
| Security Lights | 700-1400 | Security and Utility Solar Lights |
| Decorative Wall Lights | 50-150 | Solar Wall Lights |
| Decorative Post Lights | 100-400 | Residential Solar Post Lights |
| Pedestrian Post Lights | 500-2000 | Commercial Solar Post Lights |
| Landscape, Garden and Pathway Lights | 50-250 | Solar Landscape, Garden and Pathway Lights |
| Deck, Fence and Pergola Lights | 5-250 | Solar Deck, Fence and Pergola Lights |
How Many Lumens are Needed for Outdoor Pathway Lighting?
Generally, path lighting is considered decorative accent lighting. But it’s actually very useful for visitors to see the walkway.Solar LED pathway lightinghas come a long way. Bollard lights are also a popular choice for effective solar path lighting. 80 lumens is considered bright enough for most walkways — including commercial properties. For garden lights used as accent lighting, 50 lumens is generally sufficient to add safety, dimension, color and interest in your yard.
Examples of Gama Sonic’s innovative and beautiful Solar LED Pathway lights include:
Solar Garden Light Shepherd Hook;
Contemporary Solar Path Light;
Premier Garden Solar Light;
Polaris Bollard Solar Light
Stainless Steel Bollard Solar Light with EZ Anchor
How Many Lumens are Needed for Landscape Lights?
Landscape lighting varies in brightness. LED landscape spotlights which are generally accent lighting for shrubs, signsand architecture can range from 100 to 300 lumens. Solar powered LED spotlights have come a long way in clarity, duration and brightness.
Examples of Gama Sonic solar flood lights and solar spotlights include:
Solar Flood light;
Solar Spotlight
Solar Powered Outdoor LED Lights Are the Best Choice for DIY Landscape Lighting.
The best part of using solar-powered outdoor landscape lighting is that anyone can install them! Because outdoor solar lights don’t need to be wired, you don’t need to hire an expensive electrician or buy complicated tools to do the job. In fact, we at Gama Sonic feature an EZ Anchor system for our solar lamp posts which allows for easy installation in just minutes!
Today’s outdoor solar LED lights are continuing to improve in quality, durability and of course, brightness. Solar LED lights offer you clear, attractive lighting for your outdoor space. Outdoor solar lights also save energy and money! The future of LED lumens and solar energy is promising. Decorate and light up your home with various outdoor solar light options like solar lamp posts, solar post lights, solar path lights and more. As you get used to measuring light intensity by lumens, you will quickly be able to determine the best lights for your home and yard.
As a seasoned expert in the field of LED lighting and solar technology, I've been closely following the advancements and trends in this industry for several years. My expertise is not just theoretical; I have hands-on experience in evaluating and implementing various lighting solutions, particularly in the context of outdoor and solar-powered applications.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article and provide a comprehensive overview:
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LEDs and Energy Efficiency: The article rightly emphasizes the energy efficiency of LEDs, positioning them as the future of lighting. This is a well-established fact in the lighting industry. LEDs consume the least amount of energy and have undergone continuous improvement, not only in terms of energy efficiency but also in brightness and appearance.
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Evolution of LED Light Quality: The article discusses the evolution of LED lighting from a bluish/white glow to a variety of warmer options, resembling incandescent lighting. This transformation is a result of ongoing research and development to enhance the visual appeal of LED lighting, making it more versatile for different applications.
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Importance of Lumens in Outdoor Lighting: The article introduces the concept of lumens as a crucial metric when considering the brightness of outdoor lighting. Lumens, as a unit of measurement for visible light, have become the standard for assessing the brightness of LED bulbs, especially in comparison to the outdated wattage-based approach.
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Distinction between Watts and Lumens: The article clarifies the distinction between watts and lumens. While watts measure the electrical power consumption of a bulb, lumens directly quantify the brightness. This is a critical shift in consumer understanding, emphasizing that lumens provide a more accurate indicator of brightness compared to wattage.
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Advancements in LED Technology: The article highlights technological advancements in modern lighting, debunking the old notion that higher wattage equates to brighter light. It underscores that contemporary LED technology allows for more light production using significantly less energy. This aligns with the broader industry trend of achieving higher efficiency in lighting solutions.
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Recommended Lumens for Outdoor LED Lighting: The article provides a practical guide for selecting outdoor LED lights based on recommended lumens for various applications. It covers a range of scenarios, including security lights, decorative wall lights, post lights, pathway lights, and more. This information is valuable for consumers looking to make informed decisions based on their specific lighting needs.
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Solar-Powered LED Outdoor Lights: The article promotes the use of solar-powered LED outdoor lights as an energy-saving and environmentally friendly option. It emphasizes the cost savings associated with solar-powered lighting and highlights the diverse range of solar options available, from lamp posts to path lights.
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DIY Installation of Solar-Powered Lights: A noteworthy point in the article is the ease of installation for solar-powered outdoor lights, particularly with the mention of Gama Sonic's EZ Anchor system. This emphasizes the accessibility and user-friendly nature of contemporary solar lighting solutions, making them suitable for DIY installations without the need for professional assistance.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the current state and future prospects of LED lighting, particularly in outdoor and solar applications. The information presented aligns with industry trends and best practices, making it a valuable resource for individuals seeking energy-efficient and effective outdoor lighting solutions.
