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What’s the difference between solar and battery powered barricade lights?

Tuesday, January 26, 2010 By: Transportation Supply

solar barricade light, solar barricade lights, red solar barricade light, amber solar barricade light, solar powered barricade light, solar flashersThe first thing people notice is price, solar powered barricade lights usually cost 2 to 3 times more than battery powered lights.  But, when looking at cost you have to take into consideration the expense of batteries.  Typically, you have to change batteries in the battery powered lights every 2 to 3 months, costing around $2.95 per battery, and changing it 4 times per year would cost you an extra $12 per year.  Solar barricade lights should last at least three years, so take $12×3 and you get an extra $36 for battery barricade lights!  Keep in mind the market value of a solar barricade light is $34, and a battery powered light is $15, so after three years you would have spent a total of $51 on battery powered lights, versus just $34 for solar powered lights.

Of course, there are instances where it makes more sense to get battery powered lights because you may use the lights once and then not need them again.  But some other points in favor of solar is the fact that you don’t have to have someone go out and change the batteries, reducing labor costs.  It is better for the environment because you aren’t throwing away batteries and you aren’t paying disposal fees.  In the end, it depends on the job, but solar powered barricade lights are always a better long-term decision.