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Artificial Solar Powered Outdoor Light for Tree

stuartlawrence (7b L.I. NY)

5 years ago

Hi, I would like to give one of my outdoor trees more sunlight. I was wondering if there is such a thing as a solar powered outdoor light that could do this?

Thanks

Featured Answer

Smivies (Ontario - 5b)

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Running some quick numbers....solar radiation is ~1000W/m2. Production solar panels are, at best, 20% efficient on that 1000W/m2. The most efficient high powered grow lights put out roughly the same lumens/W as sunlight does. So roughly, for every 100 square foot that you want to illuminate at 100% of visible sunlight, you need 500 square feet of solar panels. If you drop that to illuminating at 25% of sunlight intensity, 125ft2 of panels for that 10'x10' area is required (& 250W bulb).

i'd say it's impractical...

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Comments (7)

brandon7 TN_zone7
5 years ago
Is this a science experiment or something? Is the tree in a shaded area? Have you thought of using mirrors?
Logan L Johnson
5 years ago
If the tree isn't getting sun, how is a solar-powered light that cannot receive sunlight going to help?
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Sara Malone (Zone 9b)
5 years ago
Uh guys...the solar collector could be in sun and power a light that is in the shade. I have a solar-powered pump on a garden fountain. There is 10-12' between the collector and the pump. However, I doubt that the light could provide enough extra to help the tree. Unless it was a tiny tree, and if that were the case, it would probably be easier to move it.
edlincoln
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Probably wouldn't work. Most solar lights are dim. Sunlight is actually *MUCH* brighter then most artificial lights are...we don't realize just how much brighter because our pupils get much bigger in dim light.

A REALLY nearby streetlight can have some impact in the Fall...as much because of the heat as the light. You would have to worry about additional hours of light making it confused about the seasons and causing it to put off going dormant too much.

Mirrors might work more efficiently, but you would have to worry about them causing overheating in the dead of summer. Perhaps a big sculpture made of mirrors? A bunch of giant gazing balls? Something like this?

The Trustees Announce Launch of Art and The Landscape | Press
stuartlawrence (7b L.I. NY)
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for the info.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
man i gotta give you credit.. for thinking outside all known boxes ...

two thumbs up ...

ken

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