Light Distribution: What type is best to illuminate my outdoor area?
What type of light distribution is best to illuminate my outdoor area?
So you need to light your outdoor area? Easy right? Buy some lights, voila!
Not quite. Did you know that outdoor lighting can have multiple types of distribution (the way the ground is lit up below the light)? And these distributions – or the shape of the light – determine where and with how much intensity the light will appear to the human eye.
Based on any given distribution type, the height that the light is mounted, and the lighting color chosen will help determine the amount of light that a ground surface receives measured in lux (or foot-candles).
By choosing the right type of distribution for your area you can avoid post-installation pitfalls that commonly happen:
- The light is too bright!
- The light shines in my windows at night!
- There is light under the fixture but there are dark spots between the lights!
- The light isn’t bright enough!
- The path I’m walking on, the grass is lit up, but the path isn’t!
That’s what makes choosing the right type of solar light AND the right distribution so hard when you go with off-the-shelf options. Choosing the right optic type is key for making sure you get the right light, in the right place, while using the least number of light fixtures possible. And every area you need to light can be very different.
So here’s what you need to know about lighting your next project and what distribution type might be right for you.
Here’s a quick summary of the main types of distributions
Note: A photometric plot (shown below) depicts a representative distribution for a given type.
Light distribution (and specifically what type) is important for all your projects
Solar lighting design, namely the type of distribution that you choose, can help you maximize the amount of light in any given area while minimizing the number of lights you need to install (hint, hint – it can save you money by needing fewer lights).
It makes sure that you are using the right type of light, in the right location, and not wasting any light illuminating unnecessary areas (like glare into a homes’ windows or the grass instead of the path on a trail).