Millions of people benefit from solar lights.

A quick google search shows that the solar landscape accent lights are trendy, but there are many other types. We see motion-sensing solar lights, spot lights, outdoor flood lights, commercial solar floodlighting, and many others. Some cities are even upgrading street lights to solar power. It is also possible to have indoor solar lights and solar skylights!

Not long ago, solar technology was such that it was not practical for use with many lighting applications. The rechargeable batteries couldn’t hold enough juice to keep the lights lit for very long. Significant advancements have since been made in solar technology, facilitating solar security lights, solar post lights, solar flood lights, etc. These advancements include the increased use of lithium-ion batteries to store the energy collected from solar cells. Moreover, LED lights put out more illumination and use much less energy than more traditional lights.

So what are the benefits of solar lighting?

The most obvious advantage would be that they use a free, renewable source of energy – the Sun. Yes, the batteries do need replacement every couple of years or so, but if you compare the cost of the batteries to the cost of the electricity you will save, you will find that the savings are significant. The carbon footprint on our environment is also much, much smaller.

Another benefit of solar lighting is that each light is a self-contained unit. That means that if you have a set of lights, and one of the lights fails, the rest of the lights continue to operate. If the power to your home is interrupted, your solar-powered lights continue to function. You also don’t have to worry about running wires from one light to the next to a power source – they are wireless lights!

The many advantages of solar lights.

Outdoor lighting serves a variety of functions and provides numerous advantages for both residential and commercial sites. It may add style, accentuate a property, create the ideal mood for a gathering, and protect against potential and dangerous challenges.

5 reasons why solar outdoor lighting is an excellent option.

1. Hassle-Free

When people choose to use conventional electric outdoor lighting, they face limitations. One of the most significant impediments is installing these types of fixtures near the main socket. Secondly, most electric outdoor lights require professional help for installation. This process is time-consuming and expensive because most electricians usually charge per visit and need a landscaping team to dig holes to lay the necessary wires. Solar lighting takes only a few minutes and does not require expensive maintenance.

2. Affordable

Are you trying to reduce that pricy power bill? Outdoor solar lights are highly cost-efficient since they use rechargeable batteries and free energy from the Sun. In addition, they do not require any wiring job whatsoever.
Most solar lighting products use LED light technology.
LED bulbs are helpful for consumers since they generally last longer than traditional bulbs and use less energy.
Learn more about LED light bulbs and how they can affect your energy output and spending from energystar.gov.

3. Safety

Outdoor lighting is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it also makes your home or workplace less vulnerable to potential dangers.
The less likely the property will be broken into or vandalized if the building appears to be occupied or has security features in place. Outdoor solar lights are excellent in locations where lousy weather and power outages are prevalent since the fixture will continue to function as it doesn’t rely on the electricity network. Electric lights fixtures pose a safety peril to young children and pets if extension cables are laying around.

4. Versatility

Since solar lights do not require any electrical wiring, you can install them at any location that receives direct sunlight. Most come with built-in solar panels; a few have a separate one.

5. Environmentally Friendly

Solar lighting offers an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint, even modestly. Apart from using energy from the Sun, outdoor solar-powered lights are eco-friendly too. LEDs have a 10-year lifespan. Therefore, you will not have to replace and throw away old and dead light bulbs constantly. Compared to incandescent bulbs, LEDs waste less energy and last longer.

Solar Lighting FAQ’s

How long do outdoor solar lights last?

Outdoor solar lights can have a lifespan of up to 10 years if cared for properly. And battery replacement is suggested every 2-3 years.

What are the best outdoor solar lights?

There are numerous types of solar lights to choose. You might want a solar motion security light, solar garden light, or solar floodlight to illuminate your landscape, or wall light to brighten your balcony or deck in the evening.

Can I leave my solar lights outside during wintertime?

High-quality solar lights can operate all year long. So yes, you can leave them outside during the winter. You’ll need to wipe snow or ice off the solar panel to enhance the efficiency of your light.

Would you mind checking back often for more in-depth articles about the improving technology, uses, and benefits of solar lighting? Please feel free to contact me with any questions or topics you would like covered.

If you read my last post on Tips for Designing your Solar Garden, you may have some ideas, but I decided it might help to give you some examples of where to start. These are really simple methods that you can use to enhance your property with easy solar lights projects in as little as about 15 minutes or so.

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.

Once your solar lights 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. Some sets comes with several light fixtures, so if you do not use them all, you can use the rest for your next solar lights projects.

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 gatherings. 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.

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 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 to 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.

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. Solar rope lights 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 solar lights projects 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.

In the past, solar lights were considered a luxury due to the high cost of installation as well as maintenance. Solar technology of the past prevented the batteries included with such lighting to store energy for beyond a few hours. Which is why many people believed solar lighting to be a much more inefficient method of landscape lighting.

However, today’s solar technology has not only increased the storage capacity of modern solar lights. Solar cells have improved too  and solar post lights can now run for several nights if the battery is fully charged.

Most people shop for solar post lights for economical reasons

They are looking for easy ways to beautify and improve their landscape while saving money on their electricity bill. For sure, solar lighting is an economical decision in the long run. The initial installation of a network of solar lights for landscaping purposes might be more expensive than traditional incandescent lighting. The plus side is that further down the line, customers will save money on electricity and maintenance costs. Keep in mind that solar lights require the least maintenance out of the major types of lighting designed to be used in landscaping.

Choosing solar post lights

The luminescence of your solar lighting determines how economical your lights are for you. If you are using your solar post lights on your deck as a way to brighten an outdoor living area when it is needed, you will want lights with a high luminosity. These do not last as long as lights that are designed to provide area of effect lighting around the perimeter of landscaping. You need to consider this when planning your lit space. Solar lights designed with a high output are not always necessary.

If you are using post lights as a means to light a path, then higher caliber solar lighting should not be a priority to you. The design is what matters here, so long as the light outputs enough light that the landscaping or pathway is visible, there is no need to consider whether or not the luminosity of the lights is high enough to last all evening.

Costs associated with solar lighting

Most solar lights are sold in do it yourself kits that are relatively easy to install. Each light has all the components self contained. Some kits feature stand alone solar panels. This requires a little bit more planning than sticking your lights where ever you want them. You need to connect the solar panel to the light fixture.

The standard cost for solar post lights depends on the style you get, but most average around $20 to 30 per post, with some slightly cheaper or more expensive, depending on style. This cost is rather expensive when compared to the cost of incandescent or fluorescent lighting in the same category. But remember that once the solar lights are installed, they are not consuming any electricity whatsoever. This makes them a better value in the long run.

Give them enough sunlight

As always, you should ensure the area you plan on placing the lights gets enough sun to charge the lights during the day. At least 8 hours of direct sunlight is recommended each day.  But remember, modern solar lights can last for nearly three days on one charge. Nowadays performant solar panels and lithium battery. If you live in an area that does not receive much sunlight, you may want to reconsider the purchase of solar lights. You could get a less than optimal performance as some areas of the country receive much more sunlight than others. Take trees and weather into account when making your purchase.

Don’t forget to check out our Online Store for awesome deals on solar lights

First, you have a photovoltaic cell that captures the light. The bigger the cell, the more light it can capture and convert to energy. Size is not everything though. The biggest factor when dealing with solar cells is the efficiency. That is where the biggest advancements in technology are happening.

Next, you need something that stores the energy. Most solar lights use nickel cadmium batteries for energy storage. Next you have the light itself. This is where LED technology comes into play. LED’s are a “cool” light. That means that they can convert the energy that is given to them into almost pure light, rather than the combination of heat and light that older filaments produce. This makes the LED’s much more efficient. They also have a much longer life than older light types.

Keeping all this in mind, you really need to make sure that the solar yard lights you are buying are going to suit your application. Let’s assume that we are not going to go with yesterday’s technology, and we are going to make sure that the lights have high quality photovoltaic cells and LED’s. Let’s look at the three basic types of outdoor solar lights, and how application needs to dictate the lights type.

First is solar accent lights. As the name implies, this type of solar light is meant to add accents to your home landscaping. Since accent lights are fairly dim compared to other types of solar lights, they have a much longer run time. It is not uncommon to get a couple of nights worth of light out of a single day’s charge. Look for accent lights that have multi-crystalline solar cells. They can collect energy even on overcast days. I should also note that the amber LED’s seem to have a longer run time than white. There are also many styles of accent lights that can compliment the surrounding scenery. They also work great as solar patio lights.

Next are solar path lights. These solar lights are brighter than accent lights. They are meant for lighting pathways, driveways, walkways, etc. Solar path lights come in a variety of options for mounting in a way that will work for your project. Just keep in mind that they are really meant to focus the light downward, toward the ground. As they run brighter than accent lights, you can expect shorter run times.

The brightest of the outdoor solar lights are spotlights and solar flood lights . They are used to cast a beam of light toward a particular feature of your home’s landscaping or architecture. As the light is projected away from the fixture toward another object, most people prefer to have them hidden out of sight. This can make them difficult to energize, as “hidden” and “in direct sunlight” is usually a contradiction in terms. For this reason, many solar flood lights have a separate “solar panel” that connects to the light with a wire that can be mounted in an area that gets more light. This allows you a great deal of versatility in locating your spotlights in just the perfect spot for the greatest effect.

Hopefully this will help you understand how to choose outdoor solar lights. You can now buy the right solar powered lights for the right application without some of the costly mistakes that often come about in “do-it-yourself” type projects.

Did you know that there is such a thing as indoor solar lighting? Learn more about these, as well as about solar skylights in our indoor solar lights post

Before thinking оf disassembling уоu solar lights, you need to clean the small solar panels оn the top with water to mаkе sure they 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 next mission, should уоu choose tо accept іt іѕ tо find the culprit, and mоѕt оf the time the rechargeable batteries іnѕіdе your 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 their full capacity. Tо replace them јuѕt follow the steps bellow:

To access solar light batteries you need to disassemble the unit

In mоѕt cases you’ll find fеw screws under the light fixtures. Remove them 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 your nеw set оf rechargeable batteries, уоu hаvе two choices:

• If уоu hаvе а universal battery charger уоu саn charge them bеfоrе installation ѕо уour solar lights аrе ready tо operate fast.
• If nоt іn а hurry, јuѕt install the nеw set and your solar powered lights should bе fully charged аftеr а couple оf days and ready tо run properly.

Congratulations, mission accomplished! You’ve replaced your solar light batteries. Your solar garden lights аrе lіkе nеw nоw and should operate trouble-free fоr аn additional couple оf years.

More on how solar lights work

Reducing this energy consumption saves electricity costs and increases renewable energy demand. with mаnу states enacting plans tо rely mоrе heavily оn renewable energy, Solar outdoor lighting іѕ оnе avenue tо meet these goals. It’s аlѕо handy fоr remote construction and work crews who depend оn diesel-powered generators.

Outdoor solar lighting саn replace аnу electrical outdoor lighting

Frоm а household’s porch light tо а streetlight tо а road sign оr billboard spotlight. At thе University оf California аnd thе National Institute оf Standards аnd Technologies, solar panels оn top оf parking lot shelters light uр thе areas аt night. Bus shelters and public parking lots іn Florida and San Diego аrе lit using solar panels and solar street lights are used more often fоr electricity.

If you’ve driven dоwn а mountain highway recently, уоu mау hаvе noticed road signs wіth а lіttlе black box perched оn top. Thаt solar panel box charges durіng thе day, аnd lights thе sign аt night, eliminating thе nееd fоr electricity іn remote оr rural areas.

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Portable solar panel generators, hаvе bееn developed tо supply emergency response teams аnd remote construction sites wіth non-fossil fuel power. Thе panels саn bе towed tо а site and generate energy tо power generators with а diesel back-up іn case оf problems.
Typically the outdoor solar lights уоu ѕее іn mоѕt stores аrе pathway lights and perhaps ѕоmе spot lights. Thеrе аrе actually mаnу types оf specialty solar lights. Thеrе аrе seasonal lights and forms, security lights, flowered lights and еvеn lights that соmе іn forms lіkе dogs, frogs, turtles, birds, insects and еvеn оnеѕ that float іn а swimming pool.

If уоu аrе а dog aficionado, there іѕ а yellow dog, black Labrador, а boxer and а British bulldog and they аrе holding а solar lantern. Thеу actually lооk lіkе а dog sitting out іn your yard and they аrе holding а lantern іn their mouths.

Outdoor solar lights саn bе mоrе fun than а garage roof lining оr а tow trailer

In Adelaide, Australia, Solar Light art called Solar Mallee Trees hаvе bееn operating ѕіnсе 2005. Thеу generate 864 kWh energy, while using only 125 kWh tо light their surroundings. Thе extra electricity іѕ put bасk into the grid fоr uѕе elsewhere.

Pittsburgh, PA and Vienna, Italy hаvе similar solar lights іn the shape оf а tree оr а flower with the petals and leaves sporting solar panels оn оnе side and lights оn the other. Thеѕе types оf lights contribute artistically tо their cities, generate power fоr the grid, and reduce dependence оn costly non-renewable energy.

In еvеrу sector оf the economy, energy efficiency іѕ gaining importance both аѕ а cost-saving solution and аѕ а wау tо meet efficiency goals.
Supporting your local community’s efforts tо replace inefficient electrical lighting with outdoor solar lighting technology wіll increase the chances of adopting solar energy on a large scale.

Here are 5 reasons to consider incorporating solar rock lights into your yard this weekend

1. Affordable, yet durable materials

The primary materials used in creating garden lights, such as these synthetic rocks, are hard polyethylene plastic and treated polyresin. Although both of these materials are inherently tough, they are coated with additional toughening substances to ensure resistance to scratching, breakage, and weather. Additionally, the light bulb used is inserted into the rock while the solar panel is attached on top of the rock, making them both immune to loosening or damage.

2. Easy to transport and install

If you need to transport several solar rock lights at a time, a large plastic bag is all you will need. As you go from location to location in your lawn, simply dropping them into place is all that is required. You can return to them later to make the appropriate angle adjustments, and if you need to tilt some of them, you can use stones or loose soil to raise the side which needs to be elevated. Because of the ease of installing these types of garden lights, you can rearrange them as often as you like.

3. A wide range of designs and colors

Solar rock lights are made to resemble different types of rocks. As such, there are a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors to choose from. If you want a rock that appears to be covered by moss, select a green one. If you want a rock that isn’t as noticeable, and can blend into a colored background, there are red, brown, and black rocks available. If you want to take the opposite approach and put the lights on display, polyresin rocks with animal or floral patterns painted on them might be appropriate.

4. Resistant to harsh weather conditions

As with most types of outdoor solar lighting, all the materials used for creating solar rock lights have been treated for protection against harsh conditions of weather. Once in their places, you won’t need to be concerned that extremes of heat and cold will warp or break the material, as they are made to withstand both heat and cold equally well. Further, forms of precipitation, such as rain, snow, or sleet are no match for these hard-wearing decorative rocks.

5. An ideal night light

As opposed to harsher lighting used for construction purposes, such as spotlights, solar rock lights give your yard a comfortable, yet practical level of illumination; perfect for children to play, or night time dinners to be had. What’s more, this form of lighting is uni-directional, meaning it will only light the portion of your yard directly in front of the bulb, so as not to disturb the neighbors. Lastly, solar rock lights serve safety purposes as well, helping to prevent trips and falls, as well as deterring pesky night time bandits, such as burglars and vandals.

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.

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. If there are other questions that I did not cover here, please ask them in a comment, or by using the contact form and I will add them to this solar lights FAQ.

Many people are unaware that a party at home can be just as delightful, even more so, than a party held at an outside venue.  Because you are hosting from home, you feel more comfortable, and your guests will sense this and feel more at ease. Catering can be arranged if you don’t want the hassle of using your own kitchen, and the party will likely work out cheaper as a result – not to mention more personalized.

Also, because you are hosting your party on your own patio, you can choose to go later into the evening than if you were holding a party at a hired venue. With solar patio lights you can add lighting, fun, festivity and elegance to the evening and night-time party atmosphere, without adding to your household lighting bill. They can also be installed in a jiffy even if you have only very little DIY skill.

Here some great patio lighting ideas

Many people who have a patio or deck also have a pool. Some choose to cover their pool for a party, feeling it unnecessary to display an expanse of plain water. But why not make a centerpiece of it, rather than hiding it away?  Floating solar lights that are made for the water come in all shapes and sizes, some large, some small, but all adding intrigue to the setting.  An intimate atmosphere can be attained by utilizing many tiny “floating candles” powered by solar lighting technology, or perhaps you prefer the timeless look of white floating lotus or ‘lilypad’ solar lighting, or the fun look of the jellyfish-shaped solar lights that have optical fiber tentacles, bobbing around mysteriously in the water. Not to mention the solar powered lights which can be obtained that are shaped like glowing orbs of many colors, even changing colors – ideal for lighting the paths, especially if there is a pool edge which guests need to be aware of.

Solar garden lights come in the shape of tulips to glow gently in amongst your patio-edging flower beds, illuminating your floral arrangements or box hedging and lending them all new moonlight hues. Other unusual solar patio lights include the snail, with a golden and intricate shell illuminated with warm golden light.

The sun jar is an irresistible type of solar patio lighting, with its appealing portability and ease of use. Looking just like a normal pantry jar in broad daylight, it is left to gather the sun’s rays during the daylight hours, and as the night comes on it begins to shine in a gentle shade of yellow, just like magic. The sun jar patio lighting technology has become so popular that a moon jar can also be purchased now; these glow in a luminescent shade of blue and are sure to delight your guests, from the youngest child to the oldest centenarian!

Have you seen the solar patio lanterns that come on a string, or that can be hung on a string? Some of these appear as authentic Chinese lanterns, complete with paper coverings or a waterproof and weatherproof synthetic paper substitute. Glowing gently in magenta, aqua, canary gold and sea green, these solar lights bring the Oriental feel right into your own backyard patio.

We interviewed Nerida Robinson about the engagement party that she held in she and her fiancé’s home – a summer barbecue and drinks party, held out on the patio.  “I chose to use glass solar sting lights hung in the branches of my patio trees, which are quite tall but not overbearing. The glass solar string lights gave a fairy-like feeling of airiness to the whole patio, which was a feeling I was really going for – lightness, because that’s how Dave and I felt at the time – really light and carefree.” When asked if she chose other patio lighting as well, she replied, “Well, I didn’t want to buy lights which were going to use up more electricity. We were saving for the wedding, obviously, and weren’t too keen on being slugged by large lighting bills. But Dave and I are really into evening entertaining – and our house gets full sun all afternoon, which charges them really well – so we thought that solar lighting would be the way to go.  We’ve been married for five years now, and our solar patio lights are still going strong. We’ve definitely got out money’s worth.”

As you can see, patio lighting is so much more these days than those early (and rather clunky!) solar lights that you brought home from the hardware store and poked into the ground, which lasted for about 5 minutes after the sun went down! New bulb technology means that the charge from the sun holds for so much longer, giving you vibrant and lasting brightness well into the wee hours.

And just when you thought modern solar patio lighting meant you had to like modern fashions, think again.  We think one of the nicest applications of the solar patio light today is the traditional lamp-post form, complete with ornate brass or other metal, and lamp swinging gently from the upright post.

But don’t take out word for it – patio lights come in so many shapes and sizes. From inlaid “pavers” that shine from within the path itself, to glowing grapes and feather-like tree nets, solar powered patio lighting will light up your home and you evenings for many enjoyable years to come.

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.

Some of the best solar lights landscaping ideas

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 on-stream 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.

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 solar lights landscaping 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!

You can find many blogs these days about how a PV panel plus a battery is placed on the roof of one of these rural homes and connected to a solar light inside the home providing enough light that many of these people are cutting off their conventional electrical supply.

You. may have heard of PV’s being traditionally used for small wristwatches and calculators. These systems are becoming more and more complex and can now be used in many new areas such as: water pumps, communication systems, large appliances and outdoor lighting such as parking lots, street lights, etc.

Solar cells do not actually store any energy. In fact the energy is used up almost immediately unless it is stored in a rechargeable battery. These batteries store the electrical energy for later use.

Now that you know a little more about the basics of solar cells, how do they work in simple outdoor solar lights? Again, the sun charges the solar panel which is stored in rechargeable batteries. If the solar light has been charged with a full days sunlight, they can usually last from 8-10 hours at dark. Of course the amount of sunlight during the day, the time of year and where you have placed your light all have a bearing on how bright and how long your solar lights will shine. Never replace a rechargeable battery with a non-rechargeable battery. This could cause irreparable damage to the unit.

Don’t let those rainy or cloudy days make your solar lights less usable. With new technology in this area, you may now be able to find solar lights that can also be charged through your computer with a USB cable. In some instances you can even get an adapter so you can plug it into your wall plug.

There are so many advantages in using solar power as an alternative energy source. The only cost is your initial outlay for the solar product itself. No wiring, fast and easy to install, environmentally friendly, helps save our planets resources, can be placed far or near.

Now that you know a little more about solar energy, there is no reason not to consider using beautiful solar powered lights in your landscape design.

In addition to solar lights 101 you may want to check our Solar Lights FAQ Here

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.

You need to get the most out of your solar powered garden lights

If you want to get the most out of your solar lights, there’s more involved to installing them than just sticking them in the ground anywhere in your yard. They need to be placed properly to get the most amount of sun, otherwise they will have a shorter lifespan and work for only part of the night.

When you’re installing your solar garden lights, the first thing that you need to do is look as where you want to put the lights in your yard. Go outside at night with a flashlight and see how different lighting effects will look on your flowers, trees, and house. Experiment with different angles, locations, and beams of light from the flashlight to see what works best. Make a mental note of where you’d like to put the lights and when you go back inside sketch out on paper where you’d like to put the lights.

Now, before you run out and buy outdoor solar powered garden lights, you need to make sure the location you chose is fit for a solar light. Go outside during the day and see if the area is under shade. Don’t just do this at one point during the day either! Look at several different times because the sun and shadows move across your yard throughout the day. Any place that you plan to stick a solar light should have access to direct sunlight for several hours a day. While it is possible to place a light in the shade, if you do you likely won’t be happy with it, even if it is a quality light fixture. The light will most likely work fine at first, but because it will be in the shade during the day, it won’t be able to completely recharge it’s battery before the sun sets. When this happens day after day, the battery in the light gets stressed and loses its capacity sooner. This means your solar powered garden lights will start turning off sooner and sooner throughout the night as they age and you’ll be left wondering why you ever got suckered into the solar light fad anyway.

Solar garden lighting is easy to install, but only if you do the proper preparation to make sure that you place the fixtures in the right areas. If you do end up wanting to install a light in an area where there is shade, don’t fret though. You can always install one with a separate solar panel that you can place in a sunny place or add a few low voltage light fixtures in your yard and make the rest solar powered for a great hybrid system!

I know this reads like a sales pitch, but stay with me here. I have no problem with you going to your local home improvement store and picking out your lights. Occasionally you will find a helpful sales person who is informed and can help you to purchase a high quality solar light that will work perfectly for your needs. It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen.

If you choose to do that, please be prepared! Before you head out to your local ACE or Home Depot, do some research online. I have looked high and low for solar lights reviews and I can tell you that it can be very discouraging trying to find some actual, real life, impartial reviews for different brands of lights. Most sites will show you THEIR brand and how wonderful it is.

Luckily, there are some sites that give real reviews (good and bad) from their customers. One of those sites is actually the review site for Home Depot. I do have a few concerns about picking anything up at a Home Depot though. Honestly, I have found that a lot of their products are of a lesser quality than similar products at other retailers. I have read a lot of solar lights reviews from that site that range from “This gave me much needed light for my shed and was nice and bright” to “It worked fine until the first time it rained and then never worked again.” Definitely do not want the latter.

My second concern is that people who purchase products at a brick and mortar retailer do not share their opinions of those products online as much as people who buy from online stores. When someone buys from an online store, they are usually sent an email asking how they liked it. Online stores actually ask for customer reviews.

Of course, one of the benefits of buying solar lights from a brick and mortar store is that you can actually see the product and attempt to judge its quality. It’s also easier to see exactly what it looks like and its size. You will not usually, however get as big a selection. You will also usually pay a little less online – sometimes a LOT less.

So, let me give you an example:
A solar security light from Home Depot will get 9 customer reviews giving it 4.2 out of 5 stars. Not bad, huh? It sells for let say $79.99. Oh, and you won’t see it in the store because it is an “online only” product. So much for seeing it.
The exact same product at an online solar lights store would sell $30.00 cheaper and would have 10 reviews for an average score of just barely over 1 out of 5 stars. See what I mean? Read the reviews. It is important.
If you would rather shop brick and mortar, by all means, go ahead. But keep in mind that no store will carry an extensive inventory of solar lights and your choice will be limited.

Well, hopefully I have been some help. May your cells always charge and your bulbs stay bright!

Cheers!