The Dalén light was the predominant form of light source in lighthouses from the 1900s through the 1960s, when electric lighting had become dominant. The system was invented Gustaf Dalén and marketed by his company AGA. Dalén later invented the AGA cooker in 1922. The Dalén light is notable because of its sun valve (aka solar valve), which earned its inventor the Nobel prize in physics.

The Carbide lamp was developed in the early 1900s. While the lamps proved useful in many applications, the problem of safely storing acetylene meant they needed regular refilling which constrained their use in applications such as lighthouses.

Lighthouses using Dalén lighting have included:

• Barrenjoey Lighthouse, New South Wales (1932 -1972)
• The Point Stephens Lighthouse,New South Wales (1922 -1960)
• Skerryvore Lighthouse, the Hebrides ( -1959)
• Celarain Lighthouse, Mexico (1934 - )