The Impact of Solar Lights on Ecosystems and the Environment

Solar lights are fantastic additions to any garden, pathway, or outdoor space. However, it's crucial to consider their impact on the local ecosystem. Many insects are influenced by artificial light, and wildlife can also be affected. The consequences of solar lights on insects often ripple through their predators, disrupting ecosystems. While some solar lights help mitigate this issue and minimize harm to wildlife, they still play a role in environmental changes.

How Do Insects React to Light?

To better understand how solar lights influence bugs, let’s explore how light generally impacts them and why they may be attracted to these lights. If you’ve ever spent time outdoors on a summer evening, you've likely noticed insects buzzing around light sources. Moths, for instance, seem particularly drawn to and mesmerized by light, sometimes crashing into them. Although scientists haven't pinpointed the exact reason for this behavior, several theories attempt to explain it.

One widely accepted theory is that insects use the moon for navigation. Since the moon is distant, insects can move freely while keeping its position consistent, similar to how sailors once relied on the stars for guidance. However, if an insect mistakenly interprets an artificial light source as the moon, it becomes disoriented because the relative position of the light changes as it moves around it.

Another critical factor is wavelength; insects can only perceive certain wavelengths, primarily shorter ones like ultraviolet light or cooler colors like moonlight. This means warmer-colored lights (correlated color temperatures below 3300K) have less of an impact on bugs.

How Are Insects Affected by Warmth?

While some insects are drawn to light, others are attracted to warmth. This happens because not all insects generate sufficient warmth through movement, so they seek external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. Certain insects also rely on infrared signals, or heat, to hunt for prey—mosquitoes being a prime example.

Which Insects Are Most Affected by Solar Lights?

As previously noted, mosquitoes are affected by outdoor lights, but other insects are impacted as well. Here’s a list of insects most commonly affected:

• Moths
• Flies
• Bees/Wasps
• Mosquitoes
• Butterflies
• Beetles
• Glowworms

For more details on how these insects are affected, check out this blog from the Royal Horticultural Society.

How Are Animals and Wildlife Impacted by Solar Lights?

Animals, birds, and amphibians usually avoid solar lighting. It can significantly disrupt various aspects of their lives, affecting breeding and feeding habits. Nocturnal creatures are particularly vulnerable to outdoor lighting, although some animals, like certain predators, benefit from it for hunting purposes. Hedgehogs and bats, for instance, are negatively affected because excessive light can interfere with their hibernation schedules.

Other animals impacted by outdoor solar lighting include:

• Birds, especially owls
• Frogs
• Foxes

Large animals like deer are generally unaffected by solar lights.

Learn how you can make your outdoor lighting bat-friendly here.

Minimizing the Negative Effects of Solar Lights on Wildlife

To avoid harming bugs and wildlife, there are several steps you can take to use solar lighting responsibly. As long as you're not flooding your entire garden with solar lights, they shouldn’t cause significant disruption. Here are some tips for responsible usage:

• Consult local wildlife organizations to position lighting away from areas frequented by wildlife.
• Add a hood or shield to reduce upward light leakage.
• Opt for warmer-colored lights.
• Consider how much light you truly need and where it’s necessary.
• Use motion sensors and timers effectively.
  • Variable Lighting Regimes (VLR) allow lights to dim or turn off during specific periods (e.g., when bats are active), and motion sensors can ensure lights are only activated when needed.

With thoughtful planning and consideration for the local environment, businesses and organizations can reduce the impact of solar lighting on wildlife.

You can also purchase dark-sky-friendly solar lights like our Solareye80 Bat Hat, which is specially designed to cut upward light spillage by 98%. Visit our website to watch a video comparing the Solareye80 and the Solareye80 Bat Hat.

Environmentally Friendly Solar Lighting Solutions with Solareye

At Solareye, we’re dedicated to helping businesses and local authorities create safe, comfortable, and enjoyable outdoor spaces. We also recognize the importance of minimizing the adverse effects of artificial lighting on ecosystems and the environment.

That’s why our products highlight pathways while reducing light spillage. We even developed a solution specifically to protect insects and wildlife.

The Solareye Bat Hat reduces upward light spillage by 98% while maintaining the same profile and nighttime visibility for cyclists and pedestrians as the original Solareye80 ground light. By minimizing upward light spillage, we reduce light pollution and minimize the negative impacts on bats and other nocturnal animals.

We also offer a warm white color option (2700K) in line with upcoming guidelines from the Institution of Lighting Professionals in collaboration with The Bat Conservation Trust. Guidance Note GN 08 23 recommends that local authorities specify lighting with a maximum of 2,700K for bat-sensitive projects.

Contact us today to learn more about our eco-friendly solar lighting solutions.