The energy crisis for the modern age is no laughing matter; now that people are being more “green” than ever, it’s important to find methods of energy consumption that provide adequate or similar results while slashing energy bills. Truth be told, switching something as simple as your light source can significantly shrink your carbon footprint while reducing your energy bills. Using solar LED lights in place of other lighting technologies is a “bright idea” (apologies, we had to take the pun opportunity). Below you’ll find three ways LED lights are superior to others—but first, a bit of history about the technology behind these marvelous little electric lamps.

What is the technology behind the Light Emitting Diode (LED)?

Benefits of LED lights

What happens inside of an LED when it's active is called electroluminescence. It’s a phenomenon that occurs when an electric current passes through a material that gives off light. It was discovered in 1907 by HJ Round, but it wasn’t encapsulated into a practical apparatus until decades later. The first commercially available LED product was the SNX-100, developed by Texas Instruments. With thorough research and development, the marvel of the LED saw exponential light output. It followed a prediction model called Haitz’s Law, named for Roland Haitz. The little light eventually became a household technology within calculators, telephones, radios, watches, and other devices. LED lights also became staples for commercial applications that needed robust lighting fixtures for use in parking lot lights, traffic lights, and other systems.

4 Reasons Why That Matters

It's great that the technology behind these magical little lights has catapulted in the past 50 years, but what do the benefits of LED lights matter to you? Why should a light be interesting? Here's why:

Significant Longevity

The combination of research, design, and innovation has propelled this newer light bulb at the forefront of “green living.” A current 10-watt LED bulb can outlast a 60-watt incandescent bulb approximately 21 times its lifespan. This fact alone propels LED lights beyond the worth of a regular bulb. Plus, a 10-watt bulb can produce the same level of lumens as a 60-watt incandescent--you spend less energy and get the same result. Kind of a win-win to us!

Significant Savings

The price tag for an incandescent bulb is incredibly attractive--a dollar over LED’s hefty 8. However, the savings ring in through energy consumption and bulb price long-term. As before, a single LED bulb utilizes a sixth of the wattage in comparison to its lighting brethren, and one bulb will outlast 21 standard bulbs! We’re sure you’d prefer spending 8 dollars once than one dollar over 20 times…unless you prefer spending more money? The LED has a fantastic total cost of ownership (TOC) since they last much longer than competing bulbs.

Versatility

LED lights apply to a range of technologies other than just a bulb. They're instrumental in displays for technology and sensory input--your television remote control wouldn't work without 'em! They're all the rage now for cities as well--commercial outdoor solar lights use LED fixtures because of the light's efficiency, color reproduction, and no toxic materials. It's all because of the technology behind the LED.

Toxicity

A problem with competing light technologies is the level of toxic materials used in the construction of the light. Mercury, sodium, lead--all these toxic materials and more need proper recycling to keep them from harming the environment. Nobody wants mercury leaking out of a broken light fixture. But the good news is LED lights aren't manufactured with toxic elements! Greenshine's lights are all Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliant. That's just another benefit of LED lights—better health!

In conclusion, LED lights are:

• cheap because of low Total Cost of Ownership
• highly energy-efficient, requiring less energy than incandescent bulbs for the same amount of light output
• long-lasting
• less toxic than other light technologies
• versatile for use anywhere for a range of different applications

The benefits of LED lights outweigh the drawbacks (and beat out the competition). That's why Greenshine New Energy is proud to use Cree LED lights--only the best--in our light fixtures for solar outdoor lights. We call them modern marvels of lighting technology, little wonders of light that save customers energy. If you're in need of a public lighting system that uses solar power to fuel its LED lights, contact us. We'd love to hear from you.