The Las Vegas Review Journal takes on the issue of outdoor lighting and summarizes the options available. Solar garden lights are discussed first, but the author also gives attention to other options including low-voltage transformer lights and fluorescents:
Solar garden lights are powered by the sun's free energy and are the easiest to install. The solar charging panel, which is either part of the light unit or attached by a cord, requires sun to charge during the day. The light given off is soft, most commonly used along paths and stairs, and to gently highlight gardens. There has been a rapid advancement in bulbs, and it's now possible to get a brighter solar light using LED or low-voltage fluorescent bulbs.
In Las Vegas, which gets sunshine nearly every day of the year, it seems solar would be a no-brainer, but it's certainly true that you have more options if you're willing to invest the money in laying electrical cable.
[Lighting key to any design - Las Vegas Review Journal]
