Outdoor Solar Lights Buying Guide: See Why Solar Outdoor Lights Are the Best All-Around Choice for Your Property (2024)

FAQs

What is the downside of solar lights? ›

Inconsistent Lighting

That means you may not get a good enough charge on a stormy day or on a day with shorter daylight hours; once the light is out, you'll need to wait until it charges up again the next day. The illumination from solar powered lights generally isn't as strong as wired lights.

Outdoor solar lights may not work due to several reasons including: Dead or low battery. Loose connections in the circuit. Dirty solar panel.

For applications with moderate mounting heights, such as residential driveways or medium-sized outdoor areas, solar flood lights with wattages between 30 and 80 watts are recommended.

Solar panels are dependent on sunlight

They won't produce electricity at night when you need it for light and they can be inefficient during storms and gloomy days. Your solar energy system needs batteries if you plan to fully depend on solar energy to power your home.

So how long do solar lights last? Generally speaking, the batteries in outdoor solar lights can be expected to last about 3-5 years before they will need to be replaced. The LEDs themselves can last ten years or more.

The most likely cause is the battery. For one reason or another, it's not holding or receiving enough charge. There are a few things that you can try here... The first is the same as above: switch off and allow them to charge for 36-48 hours before turning them back on again.

Can I put normal batteries in solar lights? ›

4. Unstable Performance: Regular batteries are not designed for solar lighting systems and can result in flickering lights and sudden power drains. To achieve optimal lighting performance, it is best to use NiMH or NiCd batteries.

Not all solar lights have an on/off switch but for those that do make sure it's set to on. If it's hard to tell whether the switch is on or off, cover the panel to simulate night time and it should be easy to find out.

It's important to consider factors such as the amount of sunlight the fixture will receive, the size of the area that needs to be illuminated, and the desired light quality and coverage when choosing an outdoor solar light fixture.

Residential solar panels have typical power ratings of around 350-400 W. Under favorable sunlight conditions, a panel of this wattage can generate over 1.5 kWh of electricity per day.

We already know that higher lumens equal a brighter light bulb, and lower Wattage equals less power. It therefore makes sense that a bulb with a high lumens count and a low Wattage rating is going to be more energy-efficient than another bulb with a low lumens count and a higher Wattage.

The beauty of solar lights is that they can remain lit the entire night. They are maintenance-free and it is absolutely okay to leave them on all night. They automatically switch on at dusk and switch off at sunrise without any manual operation.

How long do solar lights last? Solar lights typically last for between 6 and 10 hours each night and operate for 2 to 5 years. By bringing your solar lights inside during the winter, it is possible to extend their expected lifespan.

Whether solar panels are worth it depends on where you live, your budget, your roof's characteristics, incentives, and how much energy you use. Solar panels are not worth it for everyone, including those who don't spend a lot on electricity, don't have the space for them, or plan on moving in the near future.

Solar lights are incredibly cheap and clean alternatives to traditional power. In fact, renewable sources have already demonstrated to be cheaper than fossil fuel options. If you'd like to alter your street lighting to solar, please contact us and our solar experts can give you a quote to see how much you'll save.