Solar garden lights are becoming a popular option for many applications. Why? They are typically easier to set up, require no additional power and are often priced very competitively with plug in sets. As with anything, there are some features to look for to make sure you are getting quality solar powered garden lights.
At first glance, many solar light sets will look very similar. But closer inspection shows that not all sets are created equal! Since you will be getting 100% of your power from the sun, look at the size of the solar panel. Generally speaking, the bigger the panel, the more energy you will collect so the fixtures can be designed to burn brighter. Since solar panels are still relatively expensive the size of the panel can also offer insight into the quality of the manufacturing.
In some sets, each fixture has it’s own solar panel, while in others the entire set shares a larger panel. Each has it’s advantages and disadvantages. If each fixture has it’s own panel, there is no need for wires connecting them. Therefore you can place the solar lights wherever you want in relation to each other and can move them independently. The down side is that the size of the panel is limited by the size of the fixture so these solar garden lights tend to be less bright. In the sets that share one larger panel, the size of the panel is only limited by the power requirements (and price) of the set. In addition, you can place the panel in an area that gets full sunlight while placing the fixtures in areas that may never get sunlight. The downside is that you have to run wires between the fixtures so there is less flexibility. Whatever the size of the panels, make sue they are in pristine condition when you take them out of the box. There should be no scratches or areas that appear to be discolored.
Most of these sets use LED bulbs as they are very efficient and have a long lifespan. LEDs can put out a lot of light from a small bulb so don’t be mislead by the small size of the bulb itself. In order to judge efficiency, look for the number of lumens per watt, or in other words, how much light do you get for the energy you put in. The higher the number of lumens per watt, the more efficient the set is. Chances are it is an indicator of the quality too.
Most sets are designed to turn on at dusk and off at dawn. This is accomplished with a light sensor. In sets with the solar panel on each fixture, the light sensor will be there too so there are no worries. In sets with the shared solar panel, if the sensor is on the panel your lights may come on later than you would like as the panel is most likely in a bright area. Therefore it is a good idea to have an override so you can turn them on when you wish.
The energy the solar panels collect needs to be stored somewhere for use after dark. Therefore these systems use rechargeable batteries. Most are Ni-Cad batteries with a lifespan of at least 3 years. However, you may notice that the performance of the batteries starts to deteriorate after 2 years or so and they will probably function at some level long after 3 years. The best sets have replaceable batteries.
Solar garden lights are a great addition to your landscaping and will add much enjoyment to your outdoor lifestyle.