Page 117 - Lighting Magazine January 2019

solar lightiNg
The residential solar lighting market has been quietly advancing its technol- ogy, improving performance, ge ing increasingly decorative, and growing its sales. A 2017 report by Transparen-
cy Market Research estimated residential lighting to be 69 percent of the U.S. lighting products market, at a value of $135 billion, in 2016 ( x- tures and lamps combined). Residential lighting is expected to continue leading the U.S. lighting products market through 2024. Furthermore, the report concluded that recent strategies aimed at boosting the use of solar-powered lighting will cre- ate lucrative opportunities in the U.S. residential lighting market, noting:
“Several manufacturing companies are ventur- ing into this practice by providing a wide range of solar-powered decorative lighting products. This, coupled with investments in technological devel- opments, will aid the lighting products market’s expansion in the U.S. in the coming years.”
overcoming A dAmAged rePUtAtion
Both showrooms and manufacturers interviewed for this story mentioned the category has long su ered from a poor reputation, based on the low- quality solar lighting products sold at the big box stores. Some showrooms shared that they won’t carry solar lighting speci cally because of this. Al- though one solar lighting manufacturer estimated that only 10 to 15 percent of showrooms nation- ally carry solar lighting, interest is increasing.
abovE: This colorful assortment is from Les Jardins. The brand’s advanced solar module produces 500 lumens of LED light and up to 200 hours per charge, lasting a minimum of ve hours.
oppositE pagE: These lanterns, from Les Jardins, illuminate a private dock in a style that coordinates with the property’s aesthetics.
10 reAsons to give solAr A second look
1. There are now higher-quality solar lighting products available, made with higher-quality materials such as cast aluminum with powder- coated nishes, electroplated copper, decora- tive real glass, and UV-resistant PVC.
2. Solar lights eliminate the cost and hassle of an electrician, plus there’s no digging up the yard or pu ing holes in the wall for wiring. It is true consumer DIY with a 10- to 15-year product life.
3. It’s possible for a showroom to sell solar lighting as an impulse buy since there are no additional costs.
4. Solar lighting’s light output has increased from a handful of lumens in the past up to 50 lu- mens for some path lights, and 150 lumens for other xtures — levels that approach those of some low-voltage sources for path lighting.
5. The run-time duration has increased from a few hours to 8-12 hours on a full charge. That’s essentially all-night operation for some products.
6. A/C converters are available for showroom displays of solar lighting.
7. Some manufacturers now o er display options to help create solar sections in showrooms.
8. The category dramatically improves the look of decks, steps, fences, and other outdoor spaces at night while providing an environ- mentally friendly solution.
9. There is a signi cant ROI compared to gas lights, which typically burn 24/7 using a lot of natural gas.
10. 2-year warranties are now available from some manufacturers.
Lamps Plus – the country’s largest chain of lighting showrooms – has been a proactive seller of deco- rative solar lighting. Ryan Matheson, Sales Account Manager for Lamps Plus Pros shares, “Solar lighting is a solid category for [us] among our expansive out- door lighting o erings as our solar lighting includes post mounts, light posts, ood lights, deck lights, and garden. As manufacturers o er more solar lighting choices and customers’ interest increases in lighting their gardens with solar, we expect to see the cat- egory continue to grow. We o er solar lighting both online and in-store. While in store, customers can also browse our collection at a kiosk and get help from their sales associate.”
January 2019 | enLIGHTenment MagazIne 115