Solar flood lighting

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Radio interview source: Donna Clinton, office manager, My Solar Shop

My husband, Bob, and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary this summer. My folks had a big outdoor party for us. Mom bought some solar lights to line the path to the back porch steps so guests wouldn't trip. They worked great.

I'd like to get some solar floodlights for our place. Most of them are motion-activated, which is good if an animal gets out or there's a human walking around that shouldn't be. Donna Clinton is a solar lighting expert, and says the lights and the panels don't have to be in the same place.

"Most of them come with a 10- to 20-foot cord so you can place these solar panels in the sunlight," Clinton says. "The actual light itself can go underneath an eave or in a shaded area."

Depending on which unit you buy, it will put out 10 to 20 watts of light, which isn't as bright as an electrical flood light. But, you also don't have to flip the switch to turn it on, and then remember to turn it off.