What Are The Best Solar Powered Garden Lights

Written by Artur Antolik in Good to know,Lighting

Initially, it was our friend who told us that solar lights are the best way to illuminate our garden. She told us that it was a great light source because it was something that everyone could afford and gave the perfect amount of light. However, my wife and I were nervous about whether such lamps would provide enough light and whether it would pay off. Well, I did some research to find out.

Top 3 Solar lamps from Amazon that people like:

1. Ambience Pro – Waterproof LED Outdoor Solar String Lights Soft White (click to check current price on Amazon)

2. Hanging Solar Lantern Lights, Outdoor Decorative LED Solar Powered Garden Lantern (click to check current price on Amazon)

3. 4 Pack Solar Garden Lights Outdoor for Patio Lawn and Front Yard Warm White (click to check current price on Amazon)

Lamps play a very important role in any garden. In addition to their utility function, they are also a decoration of the living space.

With solar lamps, we no longer have to worry about electricity costs because they are powered by sunlight.

Good quality solar lamps also provide bright light that allows you to move around the garden after dark safely.

Solar lamps – to what should you pay attention to when buying them?

Solar lamps allow us to enjoy our free time in the garden or on the terrace much longer.

Thanks to the subtle lighting that provides, it is possible to extend the summer holidays.

However, solar lamps are useful not only in summer!

Even in winter, they play a vital role. Thanks to their light, it is possible to move around the garden in darkness.

This is particularly important in winter, as twilight falls much earlier than in the summer months.

However, for solar lamps to perform their function correctly, they must be appropriately selected.

It is worth betting on high-quality products, which will be the right choice for the coming years.

We can choose from traditional solar lamps, so-called pillars, as well as more advanced solar lamps with a motion sensor.

The latter will be ideal for use on a driveway or near stairs.

Lamps equipped with a motion sensor will increase the light intensity when they detect people are moving in their vicinity.

A garden is a place of rest and relaxation, a place of family meetings often after dark.

To make your stay in the garden in the evening more comfortable to move around, you should light up the area.

In this situation, we should think about garden lamps.

There are several types of lamps to choose from depending on the location, i. e. whether we want to have house lighting, paths, ponds, or vegetation.

Garden lamps are produced in the form of wall lamps, posts of various heights, as reflectors with a strong stream and as surface lamps.

Have garden lamps installed by an electrician who will correctly connect the electrical system.

Lamps mounted in elegant glass balls are trendy in gardens.

They are perfect decoration not only in modern but also in traditional arrangements.

They are most often installed by attaching them to the ground along a marked alley or by installing them at a garden gazebo.

Solar lamps for the garden – recommended models

Solar poles are a basic type of solar lamp that offers many possibilities.

We can put them anywhere in the garden that we want to lighten up in the dark.

The solar poles can also be easily moved and adjusted.

If we care about the high quality of workmanship and aesthetic values, it is worth betting on the LED solar pole, which will work perfectly in any well-kept garden.

If you want to have better access to individual places near your home and take care of your safety when moving outdoors in the dark, you should choose a solar pole with a built-in motion sensor.

15 Solar lamps from Amazon that people like:

1. Ambience Pro – Waterproof LED Outdoor Solar String Lights Soft White

Ambience Pro – Waterproof LED Outdoor Solar String Lights Soft White (click to check current price on Amazon)

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Part NumberBJ-4TZ9-8ISY
Item Weight2.51 pounds
Package Dimensions9.3 x 9.2 x 6.2 inches
Item model numberBJ-4TZ9-8ISY
Batteries2 AA batteries required.
Color(3000K) Soft White
StyleAntique
MaterialRubber
ShapeS14
Power SourceSolar-powered
Voltage120 volts
Wattage1 watts
Type of BulbLED
Special FeaturesWaterproof
Batteries Included?No
Batteries Required?No
Battery Cell TypeLithium Ion

2. Solar Motion Sensor Spot Light Outdoor 12 LEDs Adjustable Double Head for Outdoor Wall Yard Garden Garage Driveway

Solar Motion Sensor Spot Light (click to check current price on Amazon)

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Part Number B07MBMH94D
Item Weight 2.35 pounds
Package Dimensions 8 x 7.4 x 7.2 inches
Item model number B07MBMH94D
Batteries 1 Lithium ion batteries
Color Black
Style Modern
MaterialHigh quality ABS material
Motion Sensor26ft
Power Source Solar-powered
Voltage 3.7 volts
Battery 32700 LiFePo4 4000 mah cell
Type of Bulb LED
Special Features Waterproof
Batteries Included? Yes
Batteries Required? Yes
Battery Cell Type Lithium Ion

3. LED Lights 3 Modes Wireless Motion Sensor Light with 270° Wide Angle Solar Powered Lights Waterproof Wall Lights for Garden, Front Door, Pathway, Yard (2 Pack)

Wireless Motion Sensor Light (click to check current price on Amazon)

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Part Number Solar lights-82 Led
Item Weight 12 ounces
Package Dimensions 6.5 x 4.7 x 2.5 inches
Item model number ZJ-SL-82
Batteries 1 Lithium ion batteries
Color Black
Style 82 LED Solar Lights (2 Pack)
Material High-quality ABS Material
Shape Reflector
Power SourceSolar-powered
Voltage 5.5 volts
Wattage 1.2 watts
Type of Bulb LED
Special Features Intelligent Automatic on/off
Batteries Included? Yes
Batteries Required? Yes
Battery Cell Type Lithium Ion

4. Solar Motion Sensor/Stay On Light Outdoor 2 Pack, Waterproof Night Light with 270° Wide Angle, Solar Powered Lights for Door Pathway Garage Garden

Solar Motion Sensor/Stay On Light (click to check current price on Amazon)

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Included ComponentsMounting kit included
Item Weight 15.2 ounces
Package Dimensions 7 x 5.1 x 3 inches
Item model numberBJ-4TZ9-8ISY
Number of Lights32
Color Bright White
Style Solar motion sensor light outdoor
Material High-strength ABS + PC
Shape Dome
Power Source Solar-powered
Voltage 3.7 volts
Wattage 6.66 watts
Type of Bulb LED
Special Features Waterproof
Batteries Included? No
Batteries Required? No
Switch Style Toggle

5. Hanging Solar Lantern Lights, Outdoor Decorative LED Solar Powered Garden Lantern

Hanging Solar Lantern Lights (click to check current price on Amazon)

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Part Number B07QCS1H9G
Item Weight 4.47 pounds
Package Dimensions 14.1 x 8.6 x 7.7 inches
Item model number B07QCS1H9G
Customer Reviews 4.6/5
Color Warm White
Style Modern
Material Metal
Shape Transparent Glasslight
Power Source Solar-powered
Lumens15
Wattage 1 watts
Type of Bulb LED
Special Features Waterproof
Batteries Included? No
Batteries Required? No
Battery Cell Type Lithium Ion

6. Lumens Solar Pathway Lights Garden Lights for Lawn Patio Yard Pathway Walkway, 6 Pack

Lumens Solar Pathway Lights (click to check current price on Amazon)

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Part Number 43237-2
Item Weight 2.93 pounds
Product Dimensions 14.2 x 4.3 x 4.3 inches
Assembled Height4.3 inches
Customer Reviews 4.2/5
Color Black
Style Modern
Material Plastic
Assembled Length14.2 inches
Power Source Solar-powered
Assembled Width4.3 inches
Wattage 1 watts
Type of Bulb LED
Special Features Waterproof
Batteries Included? No
Batteries Required? No

7. 12 LED Spotlights, Waterproof Solar Powered Wall Lights 2-in-1 Wireless Light for Yard Garden Driveway Porch Walkway Pool Patio 2 Pack Cold White

12 LED Spotlights (click to check current price on Amazon)

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Part Number 43551-103749
Item Weight 1.33 pounds
Package Dimensions 11.3 x 5 x 2.6 inches
Batteries 1 Lithium ion batteries
Customer Reviews 4.4/5
Color Cold White
Style Modern
Material High-impact ABS Plastic
Switch style Push button
Power Source Solar-powered
Voltage 3.7 volts
Wattage 1.5 watts
Type of Bulb LED
Special Features Waterproof
Batteries Included? Yes
Batteries Required? Yes

8. Solar Lights Outdoor Waterproof Lights Easy Install Garden Lights for Garden Path Walkway Light 12 Pack

Solar Lights Outdoor (click to check current price on Amazon)

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Part Number B07QXN5YMK
Item Weight 5.95 pounds
Package Dimensions14.8 x 12.2 x 7.3 inches
Item model number B07QXN5YMK
Battery Ni-Mh AA600mAH
Color Warm White
ModernAntique
Material Plastic/Glass
Housing Color Black
Power Source Solar-powered
Voltage+1.2 volts
Wattage 0.03 watts
Type of Bulb LED
Special Features Waterproof
Batteries Included? No
Batteries Required? No
Lumens 2.4 

9. Pathway In-Ground Lights – for Garden Driveway Walkway Sidewalk Yard Lawn Path – Landscape Lighting – Warm White LED Light 4 Pack

Pathway In-Ground Lights (click to check current price on Amazon)

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Part Number B07L62W125
Item Weight 2.2 pounds
Package Dimensions 10 x 8.3 x 5.5 inches
Item model number B07L62W125
Batteries 4 AA batteries
Color Black
Style Modern
Material Plastic
Auto On/OffYes
Power Source Battery-powered, Solar-powered
Voltage 1.2 volts
Glowing25h
Type of Bulb LED
Special Features Waterproof
Batteries Included? Yes
Batteries Required? Yes
Solar Panel 190 MAH

10. 6 Pack Pathway Lights Solar Powered Landscape Lighting for Yard Patio, Garden, Walkway

6 Pack Pathway Lights (click to check current price on Amazon)

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Part Number B07GBZ4HM4
Item Weight 2.3 pounds
Product Dimensions 3.7 x 3.7 x 13.8 inches
Item model number B07GBZ4HM4
Batteries 6 AA 
Color Warm White
Style Modern
Material Plastic
Lumens 2
Power Source Solar-powered
Package Includes6 x Solar Lights 
Bulb Type6000K super bright white
Type of Bulb LED
Special Features Waterproof
Batteries Included? Yes
Batteries Required? Yes
Battery Type AA 200 mAh Ni-Mh

11. 12 Pack Pathway Lights Outdoor LED Solar Powered Garden Lights for Lawn, Patio, Yard, Walkway, Driveway

12 Pack Pathway Lights (click to check current price on Amazon)

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Part Number B07L1CDXVQ
Item Weight 3.2 pounds
Package Dimensions 2.6 x 2.6 x 13.4 inches
Item model number B07L1CDXVQ
Batteries 12 AAA
Color 6000k White
Style Modern
Material Plastic
Working Time6-8 hours
Power Source Solar-powered
LED Quantity 12 LEDs
Package Includes 12 x Solar Garden Lights
Type of Bulb LED
Special Features Waterproof
Batteries Included? Yes
Batteries Required? Yes
Battery Cell Type 12 x 100mAh AAA Ni-Mh battery

12. 6 Pack Solar Lights, Pathway Lights, Solar Powered Garden Lights, Waterproof LED Landscape Lights for Walkway, Pathway, Lawn, Yard and Driveway

6 Pack Solar Lights (click to check current price on Amazon)

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Part Number B07L67WF2J
Item Weight 4.1 pounds
Package Dimensions 14.2 x 12.4 x 6.8 inches
Item model number B07L67WF2J
Color Warm White
Style Modern
Material Plastic
Power Source Battery-powered, Solar-powered
Voltage 2 volts
Type of Bulb LED
Special Features Waterproof

13. Solar Lights Outdoor Waterproof Lights Easy Install Garden Lights for Garden Path Walkway Light 12 Pack

Solar Lights Outdoor Waterproof Lights (click to check current price on Amazon)

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Item Weight 1.41 pounds
Package Dimensions 5.2 x 5.1 x 5 inches
Customer Reviews 4.6/5
Color Multicolor
Shape Round +
Material Stainless Steel
Power Source Solar-powered
Voltage 1.2 volts
Wattage 0.4 watts
Type of Bulb LED
Special Features Waterproof
Batteries Included? No
Batteries Required? No

14. 4 Pack Solar Garden Lights, 8 LED Solar Powered Outdoor in-Ground Light Waterproof Disk Buried lamp with Automatic Sensor Stainless Steel for Landscape Lighting Pathway Patio Lawn

4 Pack Solar Garden Lights (click to check current price on Amazon)

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Luminous Flux 65 lm
Item Weight 1.15 pounds
Package Dimensions 5.1 x 5 x 5 inches
Number of Lights 8
Shape Round
Color Warm White
Style Solar ground lights
Material Stainless Steel
Shape Round
Power Source Solar-powered
Voltage 1.2 volts
Wattage 0.4 watts
Type of Bulb LED
Special Features Waterproof
Batteries Included? Yes
Batteries Required? Yes
Color temperature 3000 Kelvin

15. 4 Pack Solar Garden Lights Outdoor for Patio Lawn and Front Yard Warm White

4 Pack Solar Garden Lights (click to check current price on Amazon)

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Part Number +B07MQJHD8G
Item Weight1.15 pounds
Product Dimensions5 x 5 x 5 inches
Item model numberBJ-4TZ9-8ISY
Batteries2 AA batteries required.
Color +Warm white
StyleAntique
Material +Plastic, Metal
ShapeS14
Power Source +Solar-powered, battery-powered
Voltage +2 volts
Wattage1 watts
Type of BulbLED
Special FeaturesWaterproof
Batteries Included?No
Batteries Required?No
Battery Cell TypeLithium Ion

See other helpful articles on the website

How To Restore Solar Pathway Lights

Wall lamps

The lighting of the house and terrace is provided by sconces that are placed on the wall of the building.

They can be mounted in such a way that the luminaire is slightly distant from the wall.

The second type of wall lamp is mounted flat at an angle.

Wall-mounted lamps are usually equipped with a so-called twilight sensor, which will turn on the lamps when it gets dark or infrared, which reacts to movement near the range.

The sensors have a function of setting the time after which they automatically switch off.

The time range of the sensors ranges from 1 to 30 minutes.

Such a solution allows for additional savings in electricity consumption.

Posts

Placing lamps on posts in the garden allows for the use of lighting at different heights.

The posts should be stable and best fixed permanently in the ground, e. g. screwed to a concrete foundation.

Those lamps that we intend to set up along the path leading from the gateway to the house may be on higher posts.

The lamps equipped with motion detectors will work well here.

Vegetation should be illuminated with low-positioned lamps, as the plants illuminated from above do not give a good impression.

Lights on high columns in the form of park lanterns can be used to illuminate the surface of large gardens.

In small gardens of single-family houses, they are rarely used.

Spotlights

The reflectors give a strong, focused light and have the function of illuminating the selected object at different angles.

Spotlight is used on wall buildings to illuminate entrances, either to set them quite low on the ground or to penetrate the ground, illuminating the pond, fountain, and garden vegetation.

Surface lamps

Surface lamps are used to illuminate the surface of a path or driveway.

Such lamps must then be placed flat on the surface, as they will be exposed to repeated walking and driving.

Convex lamps can be installed on the pathway surface, but on the side as well as in the case of stair steps.

Depending on the type of material of which the lamps are made, there are cast-iron lamps, aluminum lamps, plastic lamps.

Cast iron lamps are stable but heavy and subject to corrosion.

They are most often used in the form of tall lighthouses situated in the streets or parks.

Aluminum lamps, on the other hand, are structurally light, durable, and resistant to weather conditions.

In addition, they are manufactured in many colors.

Thus the demand for this kind of garden lamps is high.

Garden lamps made of plastic are also popular because of the variety of designs, styles, and shapes.

The material used to manufacture the lampshades is polycarbonate or acrylic, while the body is made of polyamide.

Standard garden lamps are increasingly being replaced by solar lighting.

The advantage of this type of lighting is energy efficiency, no cumbersome wiring so that the lighting can be installed in gardens that are already decorated.

Garden solar lamps have better and better parameters, and the growing offer makes them more and more popular, especially in places where for technical reasons, it is impossible to install a traditional electrical installation.

Solar lamps for the garden – what should I pay attention to when buying?

Garden solar lamps are energy-saving and do not require any wiring, so the arrangement after some time will be no problem to modify.

In addition, they have better parameters, and manufacturers take care to ensure that they are in different colors and shapes.

Solar lamps are perfect for illuminating paths, passages, pavements, and even ponds.

However, because they are installed outdoors, they must be tight, resistant to mechanical damage, moisture, sudden changes in temperature, and gusts of wind.

Luminaires must not corrode, and bulbs must give a pleasant light to the eye. Models made of precision and solid materials will last for years.

Solar lamps – working principle

The most straightforward solar lamps consist of a small photovoltaic (photovoltaic) cell that converts sunlight into electricity, an accumulator (battery) that stores energy, light bulbs (usually LEDs) and a twilight sensor (newer models also have a motion sensor).

Depending on the type of lamp, its light output can vary from less than one to several watts, and the light it emits can have a different color.

Until recently, however, garden lamps were not particularly attractive and gave very little cold blue light.

However, in recent years the solar lighting market has changed considerably, so the lamps available today can give more light in different colors (white or colored) and come in many different shapes, sizes and forms.

Solar lamps – how to take care of them?

First of all, we place solar lamps in sunny places, so that the battery, which is charged later, gives us about 8 hours of lighting at night.

Garden solar lamps placed in shade positions will not meet our expectations because their work and lighting power may leave much to be desired.

Solar lighting, and in particular solar panels, must be kept clean.

A dirty cell will have a lower charging efficiency for its batteries, and therefore the lamp life will be shorter.

To keep the panels clean, it is advisable to clean them regularly with a damp cloth or paper towel.

Depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations, our solar lamps can be used all year round, or they can be hidden in case of severe frosts.

However, this is because the battery will be used up much faster.

If our lamps stay outside in winter, we must keep their solar panels clean, that is to say, we must not allow any snow or other dirt to fall on them.

If, however, it happens that the devices are covered with snow, then after melting, we must charge the batteries to their full capacity for at least 12 hours.

How do solar lamps work?

Solar lamps do not consume any extra power because you can charge them with solar energy.

Therefore, they are an excellent choice when there is no electrical installation in the garden or when we want to reduce our energy bills.

The lamps capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity using special elements.

The energy is stored in batteries and used for power supply after dark.

The lamps of this type do not use incandescent bulbs because they are too energy-intensive.

LEDs are installed instead of them, so the lamps shine with a soft, cool, diffused light of not too strong intensity.

The solar garden lamp works by converting solar energy into electricity.

The photovoltaic cell is also the converter in this case.

A garden lamp is charged with solar energy during the day, stores the resulting energy in a battery, and after sunset, at dusk, it automatically turns on and shines with a gentle light, but effective enough to be able to illuminate paths, terraces, stairs or decoratively illuminate the vegetation.

This type of outdoor lighting is extremely durable, the lifespan of a photovoltaic cell is up to 20 years, and the LED itself can operate for up to 100,000 hours.

By installing solar-type garden lamps, we automatically become consumers of energy from natural renewable sources, environmentally friendly, and at the same time not draining our pockets.

Use of solar lamps in the garden

Long summer evenings beg to be spent in the warm light of the lamps.

Outdoor sconces and plafonds hung directly above the table on the terrace, illuminate the darkness, making the space safer and cozy.

Solar lamps in the garden make it possible to use the garden for many hours, not being so dependent on the current time and access to sunlight.

Not only solar park lamps set along paths but also solar hanging lamps for the garden and invading solar lamps allow you to conjure up a comfortable refuge from the greenery at home, ideal for a weekend holiday.

Besides, hanging solar lamps is also an indispensable element giving a sense of visibility and safety, deterring local vagrants and thieves, but also making it easier to move around and around the property in the twilight.

This is especially important in the autumn-winter season when total darkness falls very quickly outside.

How to install solar lamps in the garden?

Installation of external solar lighting is not a complicated task and does not require any electrical or technical expertise.

Nevertheless, it is worth knowing that there are several methods to achieve maximum lamp efficiency and optimal results.

When installing external solar lamps, you should take into account factors such as the element you want to illuminate.

– with the help of the light provided by the solar hanging lamps, but also those placed directly in the ground, you can effectively expose selected elements of the garden space;

Before you decide to install the lamps in the chosen place, think about how the light will fall on the elements of the surroundings;

By directing the stream of light onto a decorative bush, you can bring out its beauty;

By placing vertical solar lamps along the path you can, in turn, illuminate the passage between individual points in the garden, for example, a bench, a gazebo and the entrance to the house;

Natural obstacles that are better to avoid

– this tip relates to the deliberate positioning of external lighting elements so that they are not on the collision path of lawnmowers and trimmers, or too close to the driveway;

A moment of inattention can cause the lamps to be driven over by a car and permanently damaged;

In the immediate vicinity of driveways, solar invasion lamps are particularly suitable for use in the immediate vicinity of driveways;

Setting the lamps optimal for exposure to sunlight

Solar garden lamps, as the name suggests, take the sunlight from there, drawing energy to light at dusk;

To function well and efficiently in the evening and at night, they must be able to catch the sunlight for a sufficient number of hours during the day;

Before you set the lamps in the chosen location, make sure that they are sufficiently exposed to the sun;

Look at the directions of the world – most of the lamp rays will take in, set on the south and west side; But avoid the northerly and easterly direction;

For optimal positioning of the lamps in your garden, it is also important that they are not too much in the shade of the house, garage or gazebo – then they can also have problems working effectively at dusk;

Maximizing the access of the lamps to sunlight will produce fantastic results in bright light that distracts the darkness and prolongs the free use of your garden for additional hours.

Considering factors such as location, obstacles, and sunlight, you will be able to enjoy outdoor solar lamps for many years.

Moreover, the very process of installing solar lamps also needs to be clarified.

First of all, it is important to clean the panel before installing the device from any film or dust in the store.

Then you can be sure that nothing interferes with the panel’s free light intake.

Remember, too, that each lamp requires 12 to 14 hours of sunshine to charge its batteries.

Depending on the month and weather conditions, it can take up to 2 days to fully charge them.

Secondly, the installation of a solar garden lamp placed directly in the ground must be carried out in appropriate weather conditions.

Before starting work, make sure that the soil is sufficiently soft and subject to the pressure of the object being driven.

If you try to force a solar lamp, the installation may result in its failure.

Outdoor solar lighting that you try to drive into hard or very dry soil can be damaged by broken metal parts or other damage.

To avoid this, wait for the rain or simply submerge the ground in the chosen location a few hours before the planned installation.

Advantages and disadvantages of solar lamps

However, before you decide to use solar lighting in your garden, we must consider their advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of solar lamps:

  • The benefits include the very easy installation of lamps that do not require electrical connections, as is the case with traditional electric lighting.
  • The light emitted by solar lamps does not cost us anything, because apart from the one-time expense associated with the purchase of lighting, we do not have to pay monthly for the electricity consumed by them.
  • Solar lamps are also very safe because they are powered by LEDs that do not heat up like traditional incandescent bulbs.
  • Solar lamps also have twilight sensors, so you don’t have to remember to turn them on and off.

Disadvantages of solar lamps:

  • Unfortunately, apart from many advantages, solar lamps also have some disadvantages. Although their light can have different powers, it will never be as powerful as a traditional electric lamp, so it won’t light up your garden, barbecue, or do-it-yourself corner too much.
  • If the solar lamp is to fulfill its purpose, it must also be placed in a well-lit place and away from electric lamps, e. g. street lighting (in case of artificial light, the twilight sensor will not switch on).
  • Also keep in mind that although a solar lamp can usually stay outside all year round during frost and snow in winter, its batteries run out faster, so it’s better to keep the lamp indoors for the winter.
  • Solar batteries and lampshades should also be cleaned regularly, as dirt makes it difficult to charge the battery.

Installation of outdoor lighting

There are several circumstances to consider when planning the installation of outdoor lighting.

The most important thing for a solar garden lamp is the access to the sun, so the setting point of the lamps must be directly exposed to the sun.

This ensures that both the battery and the photoelectric cell receive the maximum amount of energy.

It should also be remembered that solar lamps cannot be installed close to another light source, as they would not receive sufficient impulse to switch on.

External lighting in the form of a complete system of lamps must be arranged in such a way as to maintain a minimum distance between lamps of 15 cm between them.

In the case of shorter distances, the lamps will interact with each other by blinking.

The entire set of solar lamps installed in the garden or outside the house must be kept clean, so that dirt or slowly forming deposits do not interfere with the process of absorption of solar energy.

Therefore, the solar collectors responsible for energy consumption should be cleaned and wiped regularly, even with a cloth.

Year-round garden lamps

The solar lighting system can work in the garden all year round, but in case of severe frost, it is better to hide it inside as much as possible.

In winter it is necessary to collect snow from the collectors so that they can be accessed by daylight.

If the collector is under a sealed snow cover for a long period of time, it must be fully charged after removing the cover.

If you store solar lamps in your home for more than 3 days, they should be indoors at room temperature, dry and illuminated.

Thanks to this, the lamp battery will not be completely discharged.

If you move lamps to your home or garage for the whole winter, you should completely discharge and recharge the battery at least once a month.

However, it is recommended that the system stays in homes as short as possible, i. e. only in periods of really low temperatures.

What are solar lamps used for?

Solar lamps can be used in many ways.

The simplest and cheapest lamps are usually small and give little light (no more than 1 W), so they are most commonly used as subtle light points, marking a path in the garden, for example.

The most interesting version of them is various decorative figures in the shape of butterflies, frogs, or flowers.

Some of them shine with white light, while others shine with almost all the colors of the rainbow.

Located at a pond, on a balustrade or next to a sitting area, they can be an attractive accent for a garden or balcony.

New are the floating versions, which can be used to decorate ponds or swimming pools.

A certain variety of solar figurines are spherical lamps.

Their lampshades can be mounted on a metal foot which allows the lamp to be driven into the ground or placed on a base which will enable the ball to be placed directly on the ground or lawn.

The lampshades can be made of transparent or matt glass or plastic and shine with white or changing color light.

An interesting version of this type of lamps is also solar light pots, made of plastic, illuminated with LED bulbs.

An attractive decoration of the garden can also be sun snakes, which can be used to illuminate the contour of the flowerbed or flowerpot, create an interesting figurine, and also to decorate the walls in the gazebo.

As a romantic decoration of a balcony or a gazebo, traditional lanterns or openwork lanterns will prove their worth.

They give some light, but they’ll be a beautiful decorative detail.

Another practical application for solar lamps is to use them to illuminate the street number on the wall of a building.

Such lamps do not give too much light, however, if you want a garden or terrace with stronger lighting, you can opt for sconces, spotlights or solar lamps with slightly more power (a few watts).

This type of lighting can be mounted on the wall of the building or placed on a special footer in the ground.

You can not read a book in the light of such lamps, but you will undoubtedly find it easier to find a garden staircase, garage driveway, or armchair in the recreation area.

Solar lamp with motion detector

An advantageous and comfortable solution is to buy a garden lamp with a motion sensor.

The motion detector activates the lamp only when it detects motion stimuli.

This solution makes it possible, above all, to save previously accumulated energy and to use it only when necessary.

The variant of this solution is time lamps (for a specified amount of time) and lamps with a twilight sensor.

When the sun sets, the collectors are activated, and the lamps remain lit until sunrise.

Motion sensor lamps seem to be the most economical solution.

The continuous light length of a solar lamp depends on the size of the battery.

In the simplest constructions, it is from 1. 5-2 hours.

With a motion detector, this type of outdoor lighting is only activated when motion is detected, which means that the lights are active all night long.

Each entrance to the garage, crossing the border of the garden, terrace or porch activates the lighting for us or informs about the presence of someone outside the house.

This extremely practical lighting scheme allows the outdoor lamp to be used in the same way for many years.

Which solar lamps should you choose?

Luminaires for outdoor lighting should be made of strong and durable materials of good quality.

Therefore, it is worth considering choosing a more expensive, but better device, because low-quality lamps will probably need to be replaced quickly.

A very important feature that should be borne in mind when selecting solar panels is the tightness of the luminaires.

The manufacturer’s two-digit IP symbol indicates the protection level of the luminaire against the ingress of dust (first digit 0 to 6) and liquids (second digit 0 to 8).

In practice, for example, the symbol IP 54 should be marked with reflectors and posts, IP 66 with luminaires intended for mounting in the ground, and IP 68 with luminaires mounted in ponds.

In the case of the latter, special attention should be paid to the tightness of the housing.

It is also worth checking the lamp protection class.

This parameter is denoted by a Roman numeral and defines the electrical insulation.

Thus, garden lamps should have class II protection, while lamps for illuminating ponds should have class III protection.

Regardless of where we want to install solar lighting, it is important that the luminaire of the devices is made of non-corrosive materials.

It should be remembered that even the lamps installed away from the ponds and hidden under the roof are constantly exposed to moisture.

What else is worth remembering?

In addition to practical and usable values, the choice of solar lighting also requires a design that should harmonize with the architecture of the house and garden, colors, and the type of finishing materials.

The shape of the lamps can change the final effect of the installation.

Although most of the solar panels can be used all year round, in frosty weather it is advisable to store the devices in a heated room.

Batteries built into lamps, as well as other batteries, quickly deteriorate under the influence of temperature changes.

In order for the lamps to work properly, they need to be cleaned regularly of dust and any impurities limiting the access of sunlight.

Remember that dirt (but also snow) causes weaker charging of batteries.

Conclusion

Solar lamps are becoming more and more popular for balconies and gardens.

They are energy efficient, and because they do not require any wiring, they can be easily installed in any garden.

The most important thing is to choose the right lamps and to think about their setting.

External lamps must be made of solid materials as they must be airtight, resistant to mechanical injury, moisture, temperature fluctuations, and gusts of wind.

However, it is not always possible to access the electrical system.

In this case, solar garden lamps, which do not need to be connected to a power source, are the best solution.

Garden solar lamps shine because they use solar energy as a natural charger.

Solar lamps work with a photovoltaic cell that can convert solar energy into electricity.

Charged with light during the day, they can store energy in batteries and shine their light even after dark.

It is not a problem during cloudy days, either, because a small amount of sunlight is enough for the battery to charge.

Most solar lamps can be recharged with regular chargers in case of emergency.

Photocells are a very durable element, their life span is about 20 years, and the light-emitting diode can work about 100,000 hours.

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