Why Buy a Solar Powered Water Fountain for Home?
Ever since the first solar cell was invented by Bell Labs in 1954, the growth for solar has grown significantly, especially in the last ten years. The number of solar panels being installed in homes today is less than 1% of all households but is projected to be at 4% by 2030–a whopping fourfold increase. Today, you can also take advantage of the many benefits that solar power has to offer right in your home garden without worrying about getting permits from your city and negotiating with your electricity company. While solar panels can be great and are even incentivized by the government, they can be tricky to navigate through all the red tape. The easiest way to take immediate advantage is with a solar powered water fountain in your home.
Solar Power History
Solar cell technology has really come down in cost and is widely available to the average consumer. To be a “green thumb” gardener or landscaper, making use of this wonderful technology is a must. The solar powered water fountain needs to have direct access to the sun but after that, it just runs on its own. The water fountain pump is actually designed to work in conjunction with a solar panel which is shipped with a new solar outdoor fountain. The solar water pump powers itself off its own energy collected from the sun by the solar panel. This provides the benefit of it being a self-sufficient garden feature and gives your home and garden a green stamp of approval.
There’s no reason why solar technology should only be enjoyed by big electricity companies building solar power plants. A solar water fountain itself is like a mini power plant that generates just enough energy to run the pump which circulates water through your fountain. Most fountains have some sort of spout or waterfall system set up so that the water is constantly moving and gets recycled. The added benefit is that no separate water supply hookup is required at all. Simply fill it with water initially and after that keep the water level maintained.
Solar Fountains Soothe Visually and Audibly
No gardener or landscaper will argue the visual aesthetic that a solar power garden fountain will bring to the back or front yard of your home. Some fountain designs are also cleverly designed to conceal the black solar panel, which can be somewhat of an eyesore. Others still ship a solar panel attached through a long electrical cable so that it can be placed out of sight and away from the solar powered fountain itself. Water fountains not only add visual appeal, they have add another dimension of soothing a peace through sound. The sound of water running through a fountain is one of the most peaceful and serene things for a gardener.
You might wonder what will happen to a solar powered water fountain when it gets dark out. Depending on the fountain system, it will either shut off on its own (thus saving the wear on the water pump) or if it has a separate rechargeable battery pack, can continue to run well into the night from energy it has stored during the day. Even the absence of sunlight won’t stop some water fountains from running.
A solar fountain need not be a large fixture that you must install in your backyard landscape. There are also small desk fountains that you can put in your kitchen or even office that are still powered by the sun. Just make sure you put these smaller desk fountains in a place with access to a lot of sunlight so it will have sufficient energy to power the water pump.
Though the initial cost for solar panel technology was so pricey that only power companies or large corporations could afford them, the costs have really come down since the 1980s and have been steadily decreasing ever since. Solar panels have also greatly increased in efficiency as well, requiring less cells to convert more energy than ever. Even twenty years ago it was inconceivable that you would be able to buy a solar powered garden fountain for your home that ran on its own power without any external electricity. While there is an upfront cost for a garden fountain that is equipped for solar, the cost savings in your electricity bill soon offset cost. Just like a hybrid car saves money over gas in the long run, so is the same with a solar powered water fountain.
Some Advantages:
- Earn a “green thumb” stamp of approval
- No external power lines or cables needed
- Self-sufficient and low maintenance
- Can run even without available sunlight
- Smaller desk fountains are great for the home
- Easier to take advantage of solar power than a solar panel installed on your home rooftop
And Disadvantages:
- Larger upfront cost for solar technology
- Eventual rechargeable battery replacement may be needed
Go “Green” with a Beautiful Solar Power Fountain
Each year the number of greenhouse emissions increases, drawing us nearer and nearer to the pinnacle of global warming. It is important to do your part to protect the Earth from ever reaching this apocalyptic stage by making a clear and conscious effort to cut down on Carbon emissions. That’s why in recent years, many companies have gone “green” and many products today are made through “green” manufacturing that does not add to current emission limits. One prominent technology that has been around for some time is solar energy. Solar energy is completely free and freely available. It draws on the nearly limitless energy of the sun to power anything, from small cell phone chargers to power plants to everything in between, like the solar power fountain.
A solar power fountain is a great way to contribute your part to reducing greenhouse gases. Electricity comes from your local power plant which may burn gasoline or coal to generate power. Thus by using electricity you are indirectly contributing to global warming. However, a solar power fountain has no such problem.
These water fountains can be placed anywhere without any need for fancy wiring jobs or having to hire an electrician and contractor just to set up. They get their power from the sun like a mini solar power plant. The cost to you for enjoying the sound and sight of running water in your garden fountain? Zero. Not only do you reduce your energy dependence, you also save yourself energy bills at the same time.
There are many designs of solar powered fountains to choose from ranging from contemporary modernistic to classical. They are at place in the front or back yard, in your home, or any deck and terrace. Popular solar water fountains are made from terra cotta, but there are other varieties like ceramic, mosaic, and even metals like bronze, steel, and copper. There are so many different colors and styles that you can easily find a fountain to fit right in with your décor if you look hard enough. These solar power fountains can also easily be converted into traditional AC powered fountains for winter seasons when sunlight isn’t readily available. That means you are really getting two water fountains in one: a solar one and a regular one with the ability to switch between.
There are also solar fountain kits that you can add to make any fountain a “green” one. They work by shipping the water pump with a solar panel which you can then use to replace the existing pump in your fountain. There are also solar powered oxygenators for extravagant fountains with water plants, fish, and other wildlife.
If you have a pond or a pool, then a floating solar fountain can be an easy way to beautify the scenery. They can float on the surface and draw water into a fountain spray without being tied down to any electrical cabling. You can use these in swimming pools too if you have one.
Adding beauty to your garden doesn’t stop at inanimate objects. Use a solar power fountain to attract birds as well. Some fountains have built in birdbaths that birds love to use. Other fountains may work if they are shallow enough for birds to wade in. The only thing to watch for is to make sure you keep the water clean for the birds and prevent any contamination.
Another added benefit of some solar fountains is the ability to store the energy harnessed during the day in an energy pack. This allows for your fountain to continue operating even when it is dark out. Some even have switches so you can turn them on and off at night so you don’t use up the energy when you are not outside to enjoy it.
Do your part for the Earth. The next time you shop for a water fountain, be sure to consider the many benefits that a solar power fountain has to offer. It allows freedom of placement, requires no energy bill, can be converted into a regular fountain, and can even store up energy for nighttime use.
The solar panel requires sunlight and best functionality is achieved if you place the panel directly in the sunlight. Solar panel technology has advanced greatly from its early development stages but energy can still be lost. Since the panel is unable to harness all of the sun’s energy, it needs to have a clear path to sunlight in order to work at peak performance. There are panels that are built directly into the water fountain and others that are detachable and movable. This allows you to place the panel in a different location from your water fountain where it can be in the sun.