Before thinking оf disassembling уоu solar lights, you need to clean thе small solar panels оn thе top wіth water to mаkе ѕurе thеу аrе receiving еnоugh sunlight in day time. If аftеr а couple оf days уоu don’t see аnу difference, іt іѕ time tо find courage… аnd уоur bеѕt screwdriver.
Your nеxt mission, ѕhоuld уоu choose tо accept іt іѕ tо find thе culprit, аnd mоѕt оf thе time thе rechargeable batteries іnѕіdе уоur outdoor solar lights аrе tо blame. Unfоrtunаtеlу thеѕе batteries аrе nоt eternal, thеу hаvе а life-span оf оnе tо twо years. A lot оf factors determine fоr hоw long solar light batteries саn operate аt thеіr full capacity. Tо replace thеm јuѕt follow thе steps bellow:

Disassemble уоur outdoor solar lights

In mоѕt cases you’ll find fеw screws undеr thе light fixtures. Remove thеm carefully to not break any wire. At thіѕ stage уоu ѕhоuld bе аblе tо easily open thе solar light аnd ѕее what’s inside.
Once уоu find thе rechargeable batteries, remove thеm carefully аnd write dоwn thе specifications. Thеу ѕhоuld bе оf NiCd оr MiMH type 1.2 volt AA size аnd аnуthіng bеtwееn 500 tо 1200 Mah. Thіѕ type оf rechargeable batteries аrе widely аvаіlаblе аnd finding thеm іn уоur favorite shop оr online shouldn’t bе аn issue.

Once іn possession оf уоur nеw set оf rechargeable batteries, уоu hаvе twо choices:

- If уоu hаvе а universal battery charger уоu саn charge thеm bеfоrе installation ѕо уour solar lights аrе ready tо operate fast.
- If nоt іn а hurry, јuѕt install thе nеw set аnd уоur solar powered lights ѕhоuld bе fully charged аftеr а couple оf days аnd ready tо run properly.

Congratulations, mission accomplished! Yоur outdoor solar lights аrе lіkе nеw nоw аnd ѕhоuld operate trouble-free fоr аn additional couple оf years.

More on how solar lights work

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So without further ado the official Solar Lights FAQ:

Q – Are solar lights any good?

A – I have seen this question everywhere, and the answer is yes and no.  A few years ago, when the solar garden lights revolution was just beginning, they were expensive and poorly made.  As with any product, they have developed, and most are of good quality.  Also, as with any other type of product, there are still companies that put out poor quality lights, but finding lights that have a lot of really good customer reviews is easier now, so staying away from poor quality products is much easier.

Q – Are solar lights more expensive to purchase than low voltage lighting?

A – That used to be the case, but not any more.  You already know that they are cheaper to run, because they don’t use up electricity, but they are actually cheaper to buy now too.  An easy example would be to take a set of low voltage lights and solar lights from the same manufacturer and compare them head to head.

Here is a Moonrays 95534 10-Fixture Low-Voltage Plastic Lighting Kit.  It comes with 10 lights and the chord and plug for about $40 from amazon.com.

Now compare that to this Moonrays 91225 Verona Style Solar Powered Plastic Path Light 10 Pack.  Also a pack of 10.  Yes, the style is a little different, but of pretty much the same quality, and it is more than $10 less expensive.

If you are looking for something of a little more quality and of a little nicer style, check out these Outdoor Solar Landscape Path Lights Stainless Steel Pack of 12.  For only $44, you get 12 lights (2 more than the other 2) and they are stainless.  Very stylish.  So, you see? Solar lights are actually LESS expensive than low voltage landscape lights – especially if you consider install cost.

Q – What kind of maintenance should I be expected to perform on them?

A – Not much, actually.  Most types of outdoor solar lights are built so that you do not need to do anything more than wipe off the panels every once in a while.  If they use LED bulbs (as most do), the bulbs will typically last for 10,000 to 50,000 hours – depending on the model.  As for the batteries, they will also usually last for the lifetime of the fixture.  If your batteries  do happen to die, they are usually pretty easy to replace.

Q – How long should the lights stay lit at night?

A – This also depends on the model.  As a rule of thumb – the brighter the lights, the less time it will stay lit.  Let’s take an example from each extreme of the spectrum.  Solar security lights are very bright, but are only meant to stay lit for a couple of minutes at a time, when they detect motion in the area.  On the other hand, solar accent lights have a faint glow and can easily last all night on even a 75% or so charge.  On average, your typical garden path light should last for about 10 hours or so, on a full charge.

Q – Are solar lights as bright as conventional lighting?

A – Typically, no, they are not.  Using the logic from the above question, they can be as bright, but they will not stay lit as long.  The exception to this rule is when you have lights that have a separate panel and power storage device.  If you can convert enough sunlight into energy, and have a place to store that energy, you can (in theory) light a path to the moon.

Q – How do I know how bright the lights are going to be?

A – The easiest way that I have found to make sure you get the right “brightness” out of your lights is to go to a hardware store and check out the flashlight isle.  Compare the lumens of different LED flashlights.  Now compare that info to the lumen ratings of different light fixtures and picking out the right lights for your landscape should be easy.

Q – Why are my solar lights flickering?

A – This is something that happens from time to time (thankfully not too often).  Usually, when this happens, it is due to either a wiring short, or the lighting sensor getting unreliable information. There are a few things that you should check.

The first thing to try is cleaning your panels. Often, the sensor that decides whether it is day or night is built into the solar panel.  If the panel is dirty the lights might be trying to decide whether it is day or night.

Another possibility is that some moisture got its way into the fixture and is playing havoc with the wiring.  Bring the light inside, disassemble the fixture, remove the batteries, and try to air it out.  Look for any loose wires while you are at it.

If neither of these works, you may need to replace the fixture.

Q – How do I decide whether or not solar lights are for me?

A – The biggest consideration is the amount of sunlight you regularly get.  If you live in a relatively sunny area, and are looking for an eco-friendly way to light up your property, solar lights are your best bet.  At any rate, you will want to check out all of the questions above, and other articles on this site as well.  Pay special attention to the “Recommended Reading” section on the right sidebar.

If there are other questions that I did not cover here, please ask them in a comment, or by using the contact form.

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Landscaping creates a whole range of features which can be highlighted in many different ways. You can have a lot of fun experimenting with different lighting arrangements, and be prepared to be startled by what’s possible. The combination of light and shadows can produce a whole new landscape at night.

Solar lighting choices

The typical all purpose solar stake lights are definitely the cheapest, and often the most appropriate, choice of lights wherever you need them. They’re also good for highlighting hazards at night, and things like making keyholes more visible after long nights and good food.

The novelty and designer lights are another thing altogether. Some of these lights are brilliant and very well designed. Others are in the “garden gnome” category, definitely not everyone’s taste. More to the point in a practical sense, they also can’t be put everywhere, and the designs can actually block light. They light themselves up quite well, but nothing else.

It’s advisable to be cautious with your solar light buying. In terms of value for the money, be picky, because this is an emerging market, with a lot of good new designs coming onstream every day. The only exception to this rule is when you need heavy duty lighting, where it’s definitely worth spending money on quality; particularly the bigger lights. The big, powerful lights are perfect for practically any purpose, and fabulous as pool party or al fresco dining lights. If you were wondering where the incredible lighting in some movies comes from, it’s from lights like these.

Aesthetic lighting options

The different types of solar lighting are almost theatrical, but better in a good landscape:

Backlighting: Lights behind features produce extraordinary effects. Trees and branches achieve an almost Japanese/Chinese effect. Behind bamboo, the lighting looks like a good pen and ink drawing. The light produces strong contrasts, creating the effect. Backlighting also doesn’t intrude on moonlight, so you can get the best of both effects.

Spots: Baby spots are perfect for night settings. They’re also easy to set up, with minimal effort, so you can really work with different options.  Solar spot lights can be used to highlight specific sites, as well as security lighting for video cameras and with sensor triggers.

Water features: If you have a great water feature, like a lotus pool, with big plants and multi colored foliage, you can achieve a fantastic effect with solar lighting. Whether you use high power lights or the demure, soft lights, you’ll get a rainbow at night, complete with full colors. The water reacts well to these lights – an added effect.

Solar lights and reflective surfaces: If you’ve got good stone or building faces, they’ll act as great foils for your lights, softening and toning them. More color effects, and a beautiful palette when you’re lighting natural stone.

These are, of course, but a few different ways to be creative.  You can find other ideas in our Easy Solar Lights Projects article.  We also have a great article on making sure you are getting the right light for the job at How to Choose Outdoor Solar Lights.  Grab your solar lights, and have a ball!

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Outdoor Solar Lights

This site is filled with the benefits of solar outdoor garden lights, so I am not going to go into them in too much depth, but I did want to touch on them a bit.  The first benefit is obviously that they are powered by sunlight as opposed to electricity.  While this is their biggest advantage, concurrently it can also be their biggest pitfall.

The fact that they do not use up any of your home’s electricity means that they cost literally nothing to run.  As long as they get enough sun to keep their built in batteries charged, they will turn off during the day and turn back on at night.  They will stay on all night, until it detects light again, and automatically turn back off.  This makes them easy to forget about until you go out in the dark and see them lit (or trip over one while gardening).

The “pitfall” in all this is that if you do not get enough sunlight, they will not work.  Most solar garden lights have pretty efficient solar panels, so they can collect a pretty decent charge during overcast days, but some areas around the world are just dark and gloomy all the time.  These are just not the best places to use solar lighting.  They need to be able to charge to full capacity from time to time or the batteries’ life is reduced.  If you plan to place them in the shade (like under a bush or something), make sure you get a fixture that has a remote panel that you can mount in a location where it will get enough sunlight.

Another point to consider is the bulbs themselves.  Most solar powered garden lights use LEDs as their source of illumination.  While this makes them virtually maintenance free, they are not quite as bright as other types of garden lighting.  LEDs are manufactured to last for a very long time.  Usually, the fixture itself will wear out before the bulbs do.  They are also much more efficient.  Incandescent bulbs convert energy into two things: light and heat.  LEDs do a much better job of converting the energy into light, and create very little heat.

That said, they are still not quite as bright at other types of landscape lighting.  This is due to the fact that they must focus on staying lit for 10-12 hours on a single charge.  That longevity comes at a cost – they cannot be as bright.

Low Voltage Lighting

Low voltage landscape lighting also has its good and bad points.  The good thing about them is that they will work anywhere that you have something to plug them into.  You don’t really need to worry about whether or not you get enough sun to charge the batteries, because they do not have them.

That being said, they are also much more difficult to install.  Some people will just dig a small trench where they are going to run the wires and lay the wires in the trench.  I do not recommend this.  If you are going to go through the trouble of installing low voltage landscape lighting, I recommend that you spend a couple of dollars to buy some pvc pipe, glue, and fittings.  Use the pipe as a wiring conduit.  This will protect them from being gnawed on by pests and being accidentally cut with a gardening tool.

Another benefit of using low voltage lighting in your garden is that they work well for areas that need a lot of light.  They do not really need to be too concerned with being super efficient, because they do not have batteries that drain.  That also come at a cost, and with these lights, the cost is directly related to your pocket book.  They will have an impact on your energy bill.

Hybrid Systems

Hybrid systems for landscape lighting do exist.  A hybrid system uses primarily solar power and supplements it with low voltage electricity when the solar batteries run low.  The biggest problems here are price and installation.  You still need to run electrical wires with this kind of system.  You also need to have a voltage sensor and relay system that detects when the batteries are running low, so it can start using electricity.  While this obviously solves some of the problems associated with both solar and low voltage systems, they are not yet popular enough to be priced at a range that is comfortable for most people who are just looking to add some lights to their garden.

The Verdict

What do I recommend?  I think that if you live in an area that gets plenty of sunlight throughout the year, and you do not need a TON of light, solar lights are the way to go.  If you think about it, there are not many applications where you need a lot of light.  Read through some of the articles on this site and you will find many applications where solar lighting works wonderfully.  I think the two areas where they do not work as well as low voltage lights are floodlights and spotlights.  Floodlights are still very bright, however, if used as a motion detector light.  In this case, the lights are not so worried about using a lot of power because they only turn on a few times a night (at most), for a minute or so each time.

If you need lights that are just too bright for solar lighting to facilitate, or if you live in an area that does not get much sunlight, low voltage lights might be what you need.  Be careful with the usage though.  I would recommend having them on a timer that allows them to run only at certain times of the evening.  Leaving them on all night could cost you more than a few dollars.

Have I forgotten anything?  Well, here you have it then.  Solar landscape lights vs. low voltage lighting.  Which way will you go?

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Despite the fact that self contained solar lights use relatively mature technology, they are surprisingly underused in the typical homeowner’s garden. One of the key causes of this is the lack of knowledge about the types of solar lights now commercially available. The range of styles and models out there mean that any garden should be able to benefit from some type of solar lighting used to highlight a feature, illuminate an area, or just add a little ambience. Following is a list of facts and tips about this great method of lighting.

1. A solar light does not have a traditional light bulb. The solar light consists of a LED or Light Emitting Diode, which draw little power. Coupled with constantly recharging batteries, you will never run out of light!
2. Solar lights can drastically reduce the electric bill of a household. By replacing all lights in the garden with solar lights, there is no need to plug into the electric system. Lights will automatically come on at dusk and off at sunrise ensuring the lights are activated only when needed.
3. Solar lights are good for protecting the earth. We all know that the earth is a ticking time bomb as the human population is using up energy sources fast. Solar  lights take their energy from the sun, store it during daylight hours and then release it at night-time. This replaces the conventional method of using electricity to light our gardens.
4. Solar lights are easily installed and maintained. Simply insert the battery, place the lights in your garden and watch as they set to work. No need for untidy wires or setting an alarm to remind you to switch the outside lights on.
5. Solar lights come in every design that you could possibly wish for. If your garden is mainly used by children then you can find solar lights in the shapes of animals, some designs project out different colored lights, other designs are neatly hidden among rose bushes or plants.
6. You can buy solar lights from a number of stockists. Surfing the internet will offer search results of a lot of manufacturers. Also be sure to visit your local garden center as they can recommend a reliable brand for you to use.

Don’t be put off by memories of the old style of solar post lights, with all kinds of innovative models on the market. Once you have set up and operated a set of solar lights in your own garden, you will be convinced of their utility and appeal – with the low prices of some of these units, you have nothing to lose by giving them a go today.

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Let’s start with what I think is by far the easiest of all outdoor solar lights projects:

Pathway Lights

Let’s say that you have a walk way that goes from the public sidewalk (or your driveway) to your front porch.  On each side of the porch there is either dirt or some bushes or planters or lawn – anything “soft” that is bordering the walkway on both sides.  You can get a set of solar pathway lights like these from amazon.com:

Homebrite Copper Garden Landscape Solar Light with Natural Warm Light, 30867, Small, Belmont, Set of 12, Copper

Once they arrive, you basically just take them out of the box and push them into the soft substrate on each side of your walkway, and you are done.  I personally recommend putting one on each side of the walk way where it meets the sidewalk or driveway, where the walkway meets your front porch or stair landing and as many as needed between them to light the entire walkway.  The set I mentioned above comes with 12 light fixtures, so if you do not use them all, you can use the rest for the next project.

Corner lights

Just about every house I have ever seen has dark corners at night.  A good idea might be to take a few of the lights I mentioned above and place one in each of those dark corners.  You will be amazed at how those corners look once they are lit up.  Just make sure that the solar panels can get direct sunlight during the day.

Patio Lights

Often, people don’t consider their patio when planning their landscape lighting projects.  Placing some of the leftover pathway lights along your patio fence line will do a lot to liven up your patio area for evening get-togethers.  They also work well when put in raised planters and other areas of your patio.

Globe Lights

Solar globe lights are also a very easy way to add some really nice lighting effects to your front or back yard.  These are mostly decorative lights that have a softer glow than the pathway lights, so can be better suited when a “glow” is what you are aiming for.  An example of a good solar globe light is this set:

4 PCS Garden Solar Lights

Moonrays also sells a good quality globe light that is very inexpensive:

Moonrays 99924 Color-Changing Glass Ball Fixture

These lights fall under the category of “accent lights”, because they are meant to give just that – accent lighting.  These are great to put among bushes or in flower gardens that need nothing more than a soft glow to have the effect that you are looking for.  While many types of accent lighting require a separate solar panel be placed remotely, solar globe lights do not.  This makes them just as easy to install as the pathway lights.

String Lights

Of all the types of solar lights we have discussed so far in this article, my favorite, by far, are solar string lights.  There are actually many different types of solar string lights on the market today, and more varieties seem to be popping up on the market almost daily.  An example of a good quality string lights set is:

Aurora Glow – Glass Solar String Lights – Sea Glass (Sea Glass)

These are very beautiful lights.  I have actually discussed these lights before on this site (and own a set).  They are very easy to install and add a really beautiful effect at night.  They are not quite as easy to install as the pathway or globe lights, but if you have ever successfully hung a string of Christmas lights, you can install these.

Most people tend to want to hang these overhead, along eves or awnings, and while this is not a bad idea, do not limit yourself to just that.  If you have a deck attached to your home, try hanging these lights along the deck railing.  They are also nicely suited for hanging along a fence line or a variety of other places.  Use your imagination and you will be surprised at the results.

Other Uses

There are, of course many other ways to incorporate solar lighting into your home design.  Some of them are extremely easy, and some a little more difficult.  I hope that this article will give you some ideas to start with until I get the chance to introduce some more ideas into the mix.  In the mean time, there are lots of articles on this site that may be able to give you some more ideas and tips for finding creative ways to use solar lights.  I also recommend checking out the articles in the “Required Reading” section on the sidebar. ->

See you next time.

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Wiring a large yard with landscape lighting is often cost prohibitive and does not allow an individual to modify or alter their original lay-out without investing further in junction and power boxes. Changing designs, lighting, etc., is time-consuming and difficult to accomplish. However, with the advent of multiple solar options, it is now possible to move, add, alter, or adjust solar lights throughout the garden with minimal planning and effort.

Choosing landscape lighting for a large garden will require planning of the initial lay-out of the garden and calculating the type of solar energy that will be most effective for the yard. Some of the pathway lighting may be effectively installed using smaller solar lights that are independently controlled. However, adding enhancing up and low lights in the far corners of a yard may require a bit of organization and a different type of solar panel or control center.

The options available in solar pathway lighting have changed dramatically over the last few years. It is now possible to have both decorative and functional solar lighting that can create either a soft glow or clearly visible direct lighting with the flip of a switch. Many people add tall lamp posts that match the pathway lighting to areas of the garden that will contain benches, fountains, or other dramatic features.

One option is to have all of the lighting powered by a single solar panel that is placed discreetly in a corner of the garden. This allows for unique placement of lighting in areas that would not normally be able to provide energy due to shade or cover. Wiring (similar to electrical wiring) runs from the main solar control panel to the primary light. When using a combination of independent solar controlled lighting and a solar control panel, it will be necessary to research the details for successful integration of these two types of systems.

In most cases, the larger control panel will be used for lights and lamps that will be required to provide more direct lighting for individuals spending time in the garden. These lights often run through specific quadrants of the garden which enables movement of lighting more effectively.

Talking to professionals who have experience in the layout and design of solar landscape lighting systems in yards will be very helpful. They will be able to give you information and details on the solar garden lights that will be most effective and functional in the space you are designing. In addition, there will be some issues that may be unique to your garden area that will need to be addressed prior to installing the lighting.

I always recommend first sketching out the layout, taking pictures of the area in different lighting conditions, and coming up with a solid plan before you start with even your first light.  There are literally hundreds of combinations that you can use to create almost any effect.  Good luck and have fun with your new solar garden!

*Thanks to The Light Garden for the use of their image in this article.

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