May 15, 2023, 8:56 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Garden lighting is a practical matter, such as illuminating paths in the dark or sitting on the terrace in the evening. However, the lights can also be a nuisance when not needed–like during lawn mowing. A family had an idea and presented it on the TV show “Die Höhle der Löwen” (The Lion’s Den).
“Vole Light” is the name of the garden lighting system that Niko (27), Max (24), and Joachim Wendel (60) presented on “Die Höhle der Löwen” (VOX, May 15, 2023). It is a sophisticated system that doesn’t yet exist. “We’ve always noticed a lot of garden lights that are constantly in the way and get damaged by activities in the garden,” the founders explained to myHOMEBOOK. And this is precisely the problem that “Vole Light” aims to solve. The Wendel family from Obereuerheim in Lower Franconia just needs some support in marketing and sales. They offer the investors 10 percent of the company shares for 110,000 euros. But what makes this lighting system special?
What is behind “Vole Light”?
“Vole is English for field mouse, and just like this mouse, our Vole Lights are mostly hidden underground,” reveals the Wendel family. Indeed, the lights can be recessed into the ground when not needed. They reappear as needed to illuminate the garden. The system consists of a ground sleeve and the lamp, which extends 27 centimeters from the ground. According to the founders, the light has optimal energy efficiency due to powerful LEDs and electronics.
How does the garden lighting work?
The lamps are available in two versions: 360 degrees for area lighting and as a spotlight for object lighting. The housing parts are made of recyclable plastics, the metal parts are stainless steel, and the lamp head is aluminum. Up to ten lamps can be connected by cable and individually controlled and programmed via an app.
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Is there a solar solution?
Many garden lights are now powered by solar energy. Is this also the case with “Vole Light”? “We have, of course, considered a solution in conjunction with solar, but this is not technically feasible with the known solutions,” the founders admit. The high luminosity combined with the retracting and extending of the lamps would not allow for reliable operation. To use the system autonomously, a solar storage unit would be needed to supply the system with power.
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What are the electricity costs?
myHOMEBOOK also inquired about the power consumption. Thanks to LED technology, it remains within limits. “With a power of six watts and a daily lighting duration of five hours, the electricity costs for one light are approximately 4.50 euros per year,” explains the Wendel family. For four lamps, the annual costs would be around 18 euros.
Can “Vole Light” be self-installed?
The products are currently sold through retail partners. “If you have sufficient technical understanding, it is, of course, possible to install our Vole Lights yourself,” the founders explain. However, the lamps are currently only available through specialist companies such as irrigation builders, landscape gardeners, or electrical companies. These specialist companies would also handle the installation.
“Due to our construction, the retracting mechanism, as well as the other parts, are protected against any environmental influences,” assure the founders. Only mechanical impacts, such as carelessness during scarifying, could damage the light.
And what about the cables? “Since the lights operate on a low voltage of 24 volts, the cables can be laid in the ground at a relatively shallow depth,” say the Wendels. Only one cable is needed for up to ten lights.
All information and episodes of “Die Höhle der Löwen” can be found at TVNOW.