Sensor security is a feature incorporated into many of our advanced, high-quality solar lighting models. It is used within garden lighting for safety purposes and around business units to ensure customers can see walkways and parking spaces during dark or overcast weather. Sensors are also a popular aspect of a robust security strategy.

The core advantage of sensor security functionality within a set of solar lights or a wall-mounted lighting unit is that the illuminations work automatically whenever movement is detected.

Homeowners and business users can navigate paths or avoid potential trip hazards and any attempts to trespass are quickly identified with floodlights ensuring any suspicious activity is highlighted and captured clearly by CCTV surveillance equipment.

How Do Motion Sensors Work in Outdoor Solar Lights?

Outdoor solar lights with in-built sensor security use a technology called PIR, or passive infrared sensors. These components work completely independently and aren’t reliant on pressing a button or activating the sensor with a remote control.

While sensors can be programmed to disregard movements below a certain size or weight, eliminating false alarms due to wildlife or a moving tree branch, they can detect almost any type of movement – even covert motions such as a person trying to crawl across a perimeter or climb a fence.

PIR sensors pick up infrared radiation, which humans and vehicles produce, turning on your solar light whenever any level of movement is detected which is within the programmed parameters.

The solar-powered battery within the lighting unit operates the sensor alongside the LED bulbs, which provides a cost-free security solution, requires minimal maintenance, and will continue to function perfectly for years to come.

One key consideration is that the quality and scope of sensors will vary – and if you’re purchasing solar lights primarily for security, this may be an essential factor. You are welcome to seek guidance from our solar lighting experts to ensure your PIR sensors meet your requirements and are positioned in the optimal place to identify movement throughout the desired area.

For example, if you’d like to use sensor security around the front porch of your home, the entrance of your business premises, around a car park area, or any other location, the sensor will usually provide coverage across the same reach as the lighting itself.

Installing Motion Activated Lights as Part of a Physical Security Strategy

As a security measure, motion-based lighting sensors are effective and efficient and can be used for diverse purposes and applications:

  • Deterring prospective intruders who will be illuminated immediately if they cross over a protected boundary.
  • Reinforcing the effectiveness of CCTV cameras and ensuring captures are clear and highly visible.
  • Giving the impression that somebody is always at home. If you are on holiday or your business is shut, your solar-operated lighting will continue to work on demand.
  • Helping identify visitors before opening locks or security doors.
  • Providing improved safety when parking or entering a drive during the hours of darkness.
  • Protecting more vulnerable residents or business customers, ensuring uneven paths, walkways, and water features are easy to see, or providing improved visibility during dull and overcast weather.

Some businesses and local municipalities also use these sensors around areas subject to repeat criminal activity, such as places targeted by vandals, fly-tippers and bicycle racks exposed to thefts.

Using motion-activated lighting sensors means any movement, legitimate or otherwise, is clear for all passers-by and neighbours to see, providing a deterrent for anybody with illicit intentions.

Do Motion Sensors in Solar Lights Improve the Durability of the Lighting Model?

Sensors aren’t only a great way to improve your security approach but can also extend the lifespan of your solar light.

Our lighting models, spanning landscape and estate lights, garden and security lighting units, have independently accredited weatherproof casings and dynamic technology that controls temperature fluctuations and prevents the solar battery from deteriorating due to cold or hot weather.

However, over a number of years, the efficiency of even the highest quality battery will gradually start to reduce, which is a normal aspect of any battery-powered appliance, whether dependent on mains electricity or green renewable energy.

Using sensors means that lights aren’t turning on and off repeatedly when there is no reason for them to be in use and prevents over-usage of lighting that can contribute to light pollution.

From a value and longevity stance, that eliminates unnecessary strain on the battery and ensures it is poised and ready to activate as soon as movement is detected inside the lighting zone.

Security lighting has long been a popular way to protect residential and commercial properties, and this highly efficient functionality ensures your solar lights will provide even greater cost savings when compared to conventional wired alternatives.

How Reliable Is Sensor Security in Solar-Powered Lighting?

We’ve covered many advantages of sensor security in extending the lifespan of a set of premium solar lights, improving the value for money you achieve when you invest in motion-based solar lighting as a security measure, and why efficient lighting activations reduce light pollution and battery usage.

However, there are also benefits from a reliability perspective, where electrical lighting is subject to interruptions due to malfunctions, blackouts, and periods when the supply from the national grid is volatile or intermittent.

Rather than using wired lights, which carry ongoing energy utilisation costs, solar lighting works autonomously without any costs to factor in. Even if the whole region is experiencing a power cut, your security or garden lights will continue to work as expected.

As we all know, blackouts and planned load-shedding are more common in some areas than others. These situations present a prime opportunity for intruders and criminals who can easily detect empty properties and target them.

Installing fixed solar lights around a property, perimeter or premise with solar-dependent motion detectors ensures that your property is always perceived as occupied and under surveillance, regardless of the time of day or night, cloud cover, and whether the mains power line is functioning normally.

For more information about PIR sensors, the outdoor lighting models which incorporate this technology, or how to select the most suitable solar lights for your requirements, please get in touch or browse all product specifications through the Solight website.