A standard hard-contact photocell used on post lamps and other standard outdoor fixtures should face north, never into the sun. This is not because it will deteriorate the lens, but because it will cause the internal thermal relay to overheat and fail prematurely. This is a shortcoming of the unit's fairly simple design. You'll find this warning printed in the installation instructions. However, many or most of the photocells used in motion sensor lights are not of the same design, so this precaution may not apply to them. The only time I've used such a fixture I had it fixed to the west side of the house, and it worked reliably for several years. (Then I moved away, so I don't know what happened later.) LEDs as used in solar powered fixtures, and available for a price that mere mortals can afford, are great for path markers and indicators. They are satisfactory for illuminating small areas if low light output (tens of lumens) is acceptable. However, they have a considerable distance to go before they're really suited to providing really bright, useful general illumination, with good efficacy, at a reasonable price. Try again in 5 years or so. If you really need to light up the outdoors, I recommend a hard wired fluorescent wallpack light. Metal halide is great but AFAIK not really available in the homeowner's price range (if someone knows of an exception please post!). HPS is wondrously efficient, but the color rendering is dismal. Hope this helps!

When it comes to heat control the guys at Goldline did it right. The Aqualogic systems can control: gas, heatpump, and solar. You can use them seperatly, or set up the heatpump as preferred. This is the only system that allows seperate control of more then one heater. Beyond that Hayward bought the company and now it s--ks. Just my opinon of course. But will work well with your setup.

I think you may be overthinking it. If I had to guess, I'd say this isn't going to put out enough light that you are going to ever worry about shutting it off.

Cross-posted in lighting and landscape. I need to be able to light sections of my yard that are not lit by the floodlights on the house. While most of the area is under trees, there are some small sections that are open to sunlight. The experimental area is about 300 ft by 60 ft. If these lights work, there are other sections that need light. I don’t care about motion sensors because wildlife and my dogs traverse the area. But, for example, if the dogs bark I need to be able to light the area manually from my house to determine if there is a threat. Most of the lights I’ve seen in my searches need to be affixed to a wall or a post(?) and have a downward stream of light. I would like to put these lights in the ground and have the lights directed horizontally. Wireless because moles and squirrels like to chew on buried or above ground wires and falling branches might break the wires; wires are also subject to being tripped on. Are there outdoor lights that would fit these criteria? Maybe I’m searching for the wrong thing. Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated.