If the electricity bills are mounting, consider using a solar panel to power a pond pump or water feature. A solar panel requires an initial investment, but the panel will continue to power waterfalls and fountains for years to come, without cords and without electrical bills. To run pond equipment on darker days, consider investing in a solar storage unit to accumulate the extra energy from the solar panel.
Use Solar Panels to Power Pond Pumps, Waterfalls, and Fountains
Some solar pond products have a built-in solar panel that powers each individual device. For example, this is true for most solar lights. Other solar pond products require larger amounts of energy, so they usually need a solar panel that is separate from the piece of pond equipment. This panel is connected to the pond fountain, waterfall, or lighting system by a cord. The solar panel does not need to be placed in the exact location of the piece of pond equipment, but it can be placed strategically to catch the most light. Solar panels for pond pumps tend to start at just over $150 US for a medium-sized system down to $50 for a very small system. An extremely large pump can run into the hundreds of dollars.
Like any pond system, solar pond pumps do require regular maintenance to ensure that they are free of debris. Even though the solar panel may be efficient, the pump will not operate at maximum efficiency if it is slightly clogged. Open and clean the pump regularly.
Solar Storage Units Keep Pond Equipment Running on Rainy and Cloudy Days
For night time or rainy days, there are also solar energy storage units to ensure that water features can continue running. The OASE Solar Safe is available in a 17 Ah and 41 Ah storage capacity. It can run in one of three modes. The first mode means that the pump or other pond equipment is powered by the solar modules and excess power charges the OASE unit. In the second mode, the pump or other equipment runs from the battery. This mode is best for dark days. The third mode allows the unit to turn equipment like solar lights on and off at a determined time.
Solar storage is convenient for several reasons. It allows pond water features to continue to work in the evening or on rainy or very cloudy days, long after the solar panels have stopped charging or are charging at a minimal level. Solar pumps and lights for the pond are also convenient because they require no electrical cords from the house. By choosing solar-powered outdoor equipment, it’s easier to create a self-sufficient garden.
A solar-powered pond is an investment in an ecologically-friendly and energy-efficient home landscape. The bonus is that it is also cord-free, giving the homeowner a lot of leeway as to where to locate a pond or pond features.
Tricia Edgar - Tricia Edgar is a gardener, environmental educator, and science writer from the Pacific Northwest.
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