The fountain is not new in the market but has been updated with new technologies and features. People have many questions about the utility of these fountains. That is why you have to learn how solar fountains work. Small solar fountains come with inbuilt panels like many other solar products. They do not have batteries. The larger items have remote panels with cords. The silicone photovoltaic cells captures the sunlight and generates electricity for this system. If you have a battery, you can save excess energy to use at night. Likewise, solar fountains have various pros and cons.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Solar Fountains
- It is eco friendly.
- It does not need an on-grid power supply.
- It does not need much maintenance.
- Enhance the aesthetic quality of your premises.
- Affordable but luxurious choice.
Disadvantages of Solar Fountain
- You need to buy a battery to use the solar fountain at night.
- They do not work on cloudy or winter days.
- Water flow is weaker than an electric fountain.
- Need a separate place for the panel.
Here I am going to discuss the pros and cons in detail.
Pros of Solar Fountain
Many people use solar fountains to decorate their gardens. They offer many other benefits. Some of them are:
Eco-friendly
It uses solar energy, which is a renewable source. That is why if you search for an alternative to an electric fountain (which uses coal electricity), you should choose a solar fountain because it is eco-friendly and safe for nature.
No Need for On-grid Power Supply
Solar panels provide sufficient energy to the system, so it does not rely on an on-grid power supply. However, if you want to add more lights, you should rely on solar batteries.
All fountains have solar panels, which supply electricity to the system and save excess electricity in the battery. However, I would not recommend you to buy a battery (if not necessary) with the panel.
Here you need to remember one important aspect-
Many customers ask if they can use a solar fountain with a regular power supply. I understand the risk, so I must say you should not run a solar fountain with an on-grid power supply because solar energy is less powerful than on-grid electricity. If you use it with electricity in a solar product, it may generate extra heat, which may lead to burnout.
Save Money
Solar fountains need an initial investment, but it saves money in the long run. Besides that, it also saves electricity costs by using solar energy. It does not need much maintenance. If you want to decorate your garden, a solar fountain would be your first choice.
Enhance the Aesthetic Quality of Your Premises
The fountain is a worthy investment because it distinguishes your premises in the locality. If you have a lounge, restaurant, or lodging business, you should install solar fountains with battery backup. It enhances the aesthetic quality and helps to earn a great first impression of the visitors. It matters for your business! It will multiply your revenue.
Cons of Using Solar Fountain
Although it does not mean solar fountains have no negative points. Some of the disadvantages are:
Solar Fountain May Not Work at Night
If you do not have battery backup, the system will not run in the absence of sunlight. Solar panels generate electricity and supply it to the system. In the absence of sunlight, solar panels will not work effectively, and they will not generate sufficient electricity for this system.
If you want to run a solar fountain at night, please invest in batteries. It also helps to add a few lights to make the fountain colorful. You can connect the LED lights with the battery.
Solar Fountain May Not Work on Cloudy or Winter Days
Many people have questions about whether solar fountains will work on cloudy or winter days or not. Unlike solar lamps, a fountain will not work on winter or cloudy days because solar panels cannot generate sufficient electricity for the system.
You can place the fountain under a shade, but you have to place a solar panel under direct sunlight to run the system effectively.
Water Flow is Weaker than Electric Fountain
Water flow depends on GPH (gallon per hour) and horsepower, which mainly depends on the structure of the fountain. If the fountain is too long, it needs to push the water to the highest level, so it needs more energy. That is why it may not work like an electric fountain if you do not buy a high-quality solar fountain.
Need a Separate Place for Panel
If you invest in a large fountain, it comes with a separate solar panel. You need enough space to place the solar panels under direct sunlight. It is not a disadvantage, but it requires enough space for this system.
Generally, big fountains come with 9 ft, 16ft, or 32 ft codes which are sufficient to adjust the space of the panel and fountain.
Final Verdict
After reading this article, I hope you have a clear idea about solar fountains and their pros and cons. Now you have to decide whether you need this product from your residential or commercial premises.
I have a small solar pond fountain that does not come with batteries. I brought it just to explore the item and write well-researched articles on this website. I am pretty satisfied with the performance, but it does not run without sunlight. If you want to save money and enhance the aesthetic quality (especially for commercial premises), you should buy solar fountains.
