Solar Fountains

A solar water fountain is a convenient and inexpensive way to add a touch of magic to any yard or garden. Because solar fountains do not require you to run AC wiring from your house they can be put in any location on your property and take very little time to install. Solar fountains are extremely friendly to the environment.  They don't require any external power source so they don't increase the demand for electricity from polluting coal or natural gas electric plants.  You don't have to run long electric extension cords or wiring from your house, just a short run between the solar panel and the fountain, so there is less digging to do and less disruption of that garden or yard you work so hard to maintain. Solar fountains are also inexpensive. They use simple DC pumps and their costs are comparable to any other type of conventional fountain, but they won't add to your electric bill.

Solar Fountains Components

Solar fountains are usually sold in kits which include the solar panels, the fountain housing and the pump that moves the water. There are also some optional components you might want to get depending upon your landscaping design. Let's take a look at each of these components:

• Fountain Housing - There is almost no limit to the materials which can be used to create a fountain.  They can be made of stone, brick, tile, copper, iron, steel, wood, resin or plastic and may fit any design an artist might come up with.  There are basically two types of fountains: sprays (fountain jets) and ornamental statuary. A fountain spray consists of a jet nozzle or ring attached to the outlet pipe of the pump above the pond's water level. It produces an attractive ornamental spray. Geyser jets, which produce a larger, more dramatic effect, are excellent for aerating the water since they introduce air bubbles to the spray. Nozzles that produce delicate sprays or thin films (such as water-bell jets) need to be installed in a virtually wind-free location or you are going to have to constantly replenish the water supply. Statuary fountains run the gamut of designs from classical Greek figures and wall-mounted gargoyles to modern art forms and whimsical spouting frogs or fish. Statuary fountain ornaments can be bought separately to put in the pond or next to it. They can also be bought as complete, self-contained units with pre-cast reservoir bowls and integrated pump and filter systems. In most cases the pump is embedded somewhere in the housing though on some fountains the pump is remote and there is a pipe or tubing that provides the water.  For re-circulating types of fountains there is usually a catch basin that holds the water before it is pumped back to the starting point of the fountain's cascade.  For floating types of fountains the entire housing may be underneath the water of a pond. 
• Solar Panel - The solar panels that are used for fountains are no different than the types that you might put on your roof for generating electricity.  Each panel contains a number of solar cells.  The more solar cells the more energy the panel can generate.  For table fountains or smaller garden fountains a small panel (like shown above) which contains 2-4 solar cells may be sufficient.  For larger fountains, particularly shooting fountains which require a bit more energy, you may need to use a full-sized solar panel with up to 16 solar cells in it.  We generally recommend that you buy your solar fountain as a kit with the solar panels included.  That way you will know that the size and output of the solar panel is properly matched to the pump that goes with the fountain.
• Solar Pump - Solar water pumps are designed to use the DC electric power generated by the photovoltaic panels. They must work during low light conditions at reduced power, without stalling or overheating.  There are different types of pumps depending upon your application.  Most small cascade style fountains use a small delivery pump to move the water from the collecting basin at the bottom to the top of the fountain.  If you are putting your fountain in a pond or lake you would probably use a submersible type pump.  You can also purchase pumps separately should the current pump you are using fail and replace a conventional pump with one designed to be powered by solar panels.  You will need to get a pump that matches the output (usually measured in gallons per minute) of the pump you are replacing.  This is usually not difficult and most solar or plumbing suppliers can help you find what you need.
• Pump Controller - A pump controller is a device that is used to allow a solar pump to run more effectively given the changes that will occur in power output from your solar cells during the day.  In the morning and late evening when the sun is low they will give your pump a boost so it can run a bit longer.  We recommend pump controllers on larger fountains because they make the fountain run longer and reduce the strain on the pump itself.
• Batteries - When it comes to fountains batteries are strictly an option.  If you don't want to run your fountain at night then you don't need them.  The pump for the solar fountain will simply stop running once the sun goes down.  On the other hand if you like to see your fountain at night then you will need a battery pack.  These battery packs will charge during the day and then a built in light sensor will automatically turn them on once the sun goes down. 
• Wiring - There may or may not be external wiring as part of the kit depending upon the type of fountain you are getting.  Some small fountains have a small solar panel or solar cell built into the housing of the fountain so there are no external wires.  However, for fountains that use a separate solar panel there is wiring that goes from the solar panel to the pump in the fountain.  The longer the wiring the more flexibility you will have as to where to position the pump.
• Nozzles - Many of the shooting type of fountain kits come with a variety of water nozzles so you can experiment with different water effects.  One thing to consider when using nozzle is the extent to which they are going to be impacted by wind.  If your fountain is in a windy area and the stream is too high the wind may blow a lot of the water out of the fountain's catch basin. Beyond the fact this may occasionally douse you or your guest, it will also mean you have to constantly replenish the water supply which can be a bit of a headache.

Tips on Buying and Using Solar Fountains

Here are some tips to help you out with your fountain:

• Battery -- if you want your fountain to run at night, you will likely need to get a battery. Most do not come with one, and therefore run only when the sun is out.
• Solar panels -- if you find that your pump is not running at its full capacity, ensure that the solar panel is aligned where it will receive the most sun throughout the day. If additional power is needed, add extra solar panels.
• Wiring -- if you know where you are going to put your fountain consider where you are going to put the solar panel that powers it. If you are not sure go with a pump that has a pretty good length of wire between the solar panel and the pump so you have maximum flexibility in positioning it. This is important, not only for aesthetic reasons in landscaping but because in many cases repositioning the solar panel may be essential if the fountain is in heavy shade.
• Fluctuations -- know that your fountain will likely produce different water movement, depending on the intensity of the sun.
• Placement -- if the solar panel is separate from your fountain, you can place your fountain anywhere you choose, as long as the panel can be placed in the sun. If the panels are integrated, on the other hand, the entire fountain must be placed in the sun. And because solar fountains do not need to be "plugged in," you can place them as far from a power source as you please.

A water feature in a garden can be very calming and relaxing. Many people like to sit outside near their solar fountains or other garden features after a long day at work, and just listen to and watch it. Knowing that your fountain is good for the environment makes it just that much better.  Enjoy!