Solar energy is being used to power life on Earth in a number of new and exciting ways – from homes, to businesses, to farms, and even flights around the world. And it keeps getting better.

As solar technology continues to improve and become even more accessible, solar energy is being used in a variety of new applications, such as lighting for sustainable landscape designs.

What is sustainable landscaping and why is it important? Sustainable landscaping was born from increasing environmental concerns and includes a series of strategic methods designed to reduce environmental impact while preserving the overall aesthetic and functionality of the intended landscape.

Instead of working against the environment, sustainable landscaping seeks to work with it to produce landscapes that are environmentally sound, economically viable, and aesthetically pleasing.

The importance of sustainable landscaping lies in the preservation of the environment and the responsible use of its precious resources. This goal is achieved in many ways such as using native plant species, conserving water, and eliminating the use of harsh chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides among other practices. Doing so dramatically reduces toxic chemical runoff and water pollution while providing a number of other important environmental benefits.

So how does solar energy factor into all of this?

Solar energy perfectly supports the end goals of sustainable landscaping in several ways; solar saves money, solar saves energy, and solar preserves the health of our environment.

In addition to making the switch to solar, businesses can use solar energy on a smaller scale and in a more immediate way to make their landscapes even “greener”, as in more sustainable and environmentally sound. Outdoor solar lighting is a simple yet highly effective way of incorporating the economic and environmental benefits of solar into landscape.

Powered by the sun, outdoor solar lighting has many benefits, including:

Lower electric bills Because outdoor solar lights use photovoltaic cells to charge their batteries and not grid electricity, businesses can save big on their utility bill. Most outdoor solar lights are designed to provide lighting for 8 to 10 hours. If the landscape design of a business requires extensive outdoor lighting, solar lights provide a huge potential to save.

Little to no maintenance Without outlets or cords, outdoor solar lighting is not only extremely safe but it’s about as hassle free as it gets and requires little to no maintenance. This saves a great deal of time, and in the business world, time is money. Outdoor solar lighting is also simple and easy to install.

Lighting during power outages Power outages always seem to happen at the worst time and can be particularly inconvenient for businesses. The great thing about outdoor solar lighting is that they continue working through power outages, providing lighting for hours on end. This is especially useful for businesses that remain open outside of traditional daytime business hours, as robust lighting can act as an additional security measure.

When it comes to reducing the environmental footprint of your business, pairing sustainable landscape design with solar energy is a knockout combo. Not only will you save money, but utilizing sustainable business practices allows you to stand out in your industry and become a leader in the communities you serve. And besides, you can humble-brag about having a truly green thumb.