Solar Garden Fountains - What Are the Benefits? » Around Your Residence

Solar powered home electronics, like water and pool heaters become popular in modern society. Many people invest into solar powered water and pool heaters, and of course solar powered fountains for the garden. You can see many plus sides to buying a fountain that is solar powered, but there are some things you have to be aware of as well.

How do solar garden fountains operate?

Usually  garden fountains with solar pumps   don't requare much installation. As all solar appliances they use solar panels with Photovoltaic (PV) cells to collect energy of the sun. Since a fountain pump doesn't need a great deal of energy, the panels are not big.

There are two kinds of solar fountain. First are fountains where solar panels are incorporated in the design of the fountain itself. This type is the easiest to install, but you have to make sure that you place your new fountain in a sunny spot otherwise it won't work.

The second type of solar fountain has remote solar panels, which can be positioned several meters away from the fountain. If you chose this type, it doesn't matter whether your fountain is in a sunny or shady spot as long as the panels are exposed to the sun. Most solar fountains with remote panels come with easy to set up mounting system for the panels. Usually you can mount them on the wall, use grass stakes to position them on the loan or use a tall wooden stake to put your panel high up above all the plants.

The benefits and downsides of solar powered fountains

There are many plus sides of buying a solar garden fountain rather than the electric one. The most obvious advantage is that you save on your energy bill. An electric pump won't add much to your energy bill in a day, but if you want your fountain to work all summer, you can save a lot by using sun energy instead of electricity or batteries.

Another advantage is that you are not limited by proximity to a power source when selecting a place for your fountain. This is particularly important for people with large gardens. You can place your fountain in the farthest corner from the house, as long as the solar panels are on a sunny spot.

Also solar fountains are very easy to install. Fountains with panels built into a body of the fountain don't require any special installation at all. This type is perfect as a solar pond fountain that sprays water from your pond. Since there is no cord the fountain can just float on the surface.

The main downside of a solar powered garden fountain is its reliance on the sun for energy. Most pumps will still work on a slightly cloudy day, but if it is really overcast the flow of water will be much less. And, of course, your fountain won't work at night.

Also, it is best to disconnect your fountain in winter. It would work fine on a sunny day without snow, but snow and frost can damage your pump.

Related News

Pools are no longer enough for cities looking to compete (The Indianapolis Star)
Traditional swimming pools just don't make much of a splash anymore. Private and public water parks are surging as hotels and municipal recreation facilities look for new ways to attract customers. ...more

Garden program for children slated (Leelanau Enterprise)
MSU Extension/4-H will host a children's summer gardening program in July and August. The program is for students in grades 3-6 and will be taught by Master Gardener volunteers. Assisting MSU Extension/4-H will be the Old Art Building in Leland and the Leland Township Library. ...more

Gardening season far from over, if you think about it (Pioneer Press)
A gardening friend sent me a charming little card offering tidbits on how to be a good gardener: "Lean toward sunshine," it began. "Cultivate patience. Blossom wildly. Have shady and mysterious corners." And, the one that makes me giggle, "Make peace with chaos." ...more

Two pools reopen after chlorination (The Globe Gazette)
MASON CITY — Two North Iowa swimming pools that closed Friday due to health concerns reopened Saturday. ...more

Profits get mown over (Fort Wayne News-Sentinel)
No gas-powered string trimmer, blower or tractor is immune to rising gas prices, and in peak season, neither are landscaping companies. ...more