I first made this solar fixture in 2014 as a small pilot project to improve energy use in my home. The idea behind it was to have something that I could plug in and use whenever I wanted to. The fixture itself was a black, plastic box that I had purchased from a local home improvement store. I wanted something that I don’t have to remember to replace, and I wasn’t willing to invest in a new fixture just because it would run out.
I love that this idea is born out of a belief that our daily self-consciousness is a good thing. I’ve never regretted it.
Patriot lights are solar powered LED bulbs that run for about 2 hours before needing to be replaced. They are a form of home energy conservation and are great for people who do not have access to energy-efficient LED bulbs. The ones that I use are the ones that are sold by the company that makes the ones in the video above. They are a bit flatter than the standard ones you can buy, but if you want to do your own research you can find a few different models.
