• A solar panel may be mounted up to 15 feet away from your fountain.Geir Pettersen/Digital Vision/Getty Images
  
  A solar-powered fountain is not only an ecologically friendly option, it saves money on the utility bill as well as the cost of having a licensed electrician install a traditional electric-powered pump. Generally, the solar panels for fountains don't store energy; if there's no bright sunlight, the fountain operates at a slower speed or not at all. Place your fountain and its solar panel in a wide area of direct sunlight.
  
  

Tiered

• Bamboo fountains may include a single pipe or multiple pipes.japanese garden image by Trevor Goodwin from Fotolia.com
  
  A small, tiered solar-powered fountain works great on a patio table or as a destination feature at the end of a garden path. Fountains featuring bamboo sections that conduct flowing water give an Asian feel to your landscape. A tiered fountain crafted from copper creates a drip fountain that simulates the sound of rain on a metal roof. Small tiered fountains may be brought in on rainy days and in the winter. Many are available with an AC adapter for indoor operation.
  
  

Pedestal

• A pedestal fountain can be an engaging focal point in your yard.stone fountain image by Dumitrescu Ciprian from Fotolia.com
  
  Pedestal fountains are available with solar panels mounted on the bowl of the fountain or placed on a stake up to 15 feet away. Fountain pumps help oxygenate the water, which improves the health of the water and helps birds and other small animals that drink from it. Pumps may be topped by a variety of fountain heads that spray in bell- and bowl-shaped patterns.
  
  

De-Icer

• Fountain de-icers will melt fountain ice.spring, melting of the ice image by Irina Rotmanova from Fotolia.com
  
  Solar-powered de-icer units keep fountains flowing into the winter season. Don't keep your fountain outside in a snow or ice storm, though, because your fountain may crack or the solar panel may be damaged.
  
  

Adding Appeal to Standing Water

• Solar-powered pond pumps create visual interest on a flat surface.fountain image by martini from Fotolia.com
  
  A solar-powered fountain in your pond, pool or spa creates a focal point in an otherwise-still water feature. Also, fountain pumps in your pond will keep the water oxygenated for the fish that live there. Purchase a solar-powered fountain pump that sprays to a height of your liking. Smaller water pools, however, require shorter water sprays to prevent water from spraying out of the pool.
  
  

Lighting

• Solar energy will power low-intensity lighting.fire sun 2 image by chrisharvey from Fotolia.com
  
  Solar-powered lights may be used around the edges of your fountain or submerged under water for upward lighting effects. These lights store energy and will run all night as long as there was plenty of daylight to provide power. Solar-powered lights, however, give off less light than traditional electric lights.