Everything you need to know about solar lights and our top picks

With the warm summer months arriving and the school summer holidays imminent, most of us are looking forward to extra time in our garden, particularly into the summer evenings. With that in mind, while we’re preparing for our ‘staycations’, garden accessories are on the agenda – including lighting, to make the most of summer evenings.

If you don’t have power in your garden, then you are going to be looking at alternatives – and for the majority of people, that is going to mean solar powered lighting.

 

Why choose solar lights?

When you’re considering buying lighting for your garden, you’ll almost certainly be considering the options and deciding which is the best technology. We get a lot of questions about solar powered lights, whether they are the best garden lighting solution, and so on – so here is the case for choosing solar powered lights for your garden.

 

They’re efficient

Solar lighting can be found at similar, if not lower cost compared with mains powered outdoor lighting, and since the effect is comparable with mains powered options, you’ll see savings on your electricity bill. Not only that, but since solar lighting runs on power provided by the sun, there is little environmental impact.

 

They can be just as bright as mains powered

When your solar lighting panel receives the optimal amount of sunlight throughout the day to charge the battery pack sufficiently, then solar lights can provide similar effects as mains, or battery powered lighting.

 

They are (generally) easy to install

If you’ve chosen festoons, stake lights, or ground lights, then you will find solar powered garden lights incredibly easy to install. It is often (in the case of solar festoons) as simple as ensuring that the panel is positioned where it is exposed to sunlight. Fairy lights and festoons can be simply wound around trees, pergolas, and fencing, while stake lights can be pushed into the earth.

Other options, such as solar powered lamp posts and solar powered wall lighting will take a little extra effort to install – but since they won’t need any special wiring, they’re often easier to install than mains powered options.

 

They can be used throughout the garden

Since you don’t need to run cables from the nearest power source to have excellent lighting, you can install lighting wherever you want throughout your garden. Because of this, solar powered lights are also a fantastic for use when camping, at weddings and other outdoor events – all you need to ensure is that the solar panel is directly in the sun for as long as possible before nightfall.

 

They’re safe

Unlike mains powered lighting, the chances of electric shock from solar powered lighting is pretty much negligible. Of course, all items that use electricity carry some risk, but:

 

• Solar lighting is designed to be completely weatherproof, to prevent water getting in
• Currents used by most solar powered lighting isn’t anywhere near high enough to pose a serious threat
• Most solar powered lighting use LED lights, which are super-efficient and need very little power to run, so the amount of electricity required is much lower

 

If you have solar lighting hooked into a solar power grid, that’s a different situation – but we believe these are relatively rare in the UK, so we’ll assume that if you have such a set-up, that you’re aware of the risks.

 

 

When are solar lights not the best solution?

While solar lighting is absolutely brilliant, it isn’t the right solution for every single space – but that is why we provide you with plenty of options. If your garden is north facing, and the place that you want to place the solar panel is in shadow, then there is a good chance that you won’t get as much brightness from your solar powered lights as you might want. Where this is the case, a mains powered, or battery powered option is likely to suit your needs better.

If you need a lot of light – such as when the space to be illuminated is a big one – then mains powered lighting may be a better option too.

Once you’ve done your research, if you’re still unsure about the right solution for you, then get in touch – our team of experts are happy to advise you, and to help you make your decision.

 

How do solar lights work?

Every type of solar powered light has a solar cell, a rechargeable battery, LED lights and a photoresistor. As sunlight hits the solar cell, it produces energy which charges the battery throughout the daylight hours. When the photoresistor stops detecting daylight, the battery is activated, which switches the LED light on.

In even simpler terms, the solar panel collects and stores energy from the sun, and when the sun goes down, the lights are triggered to come on automatically using the energy that has been stored that day.

 

How to choose solar garden lights

There was a trend a few years ago for many households to buy stake lights for along garden paths from budget retailers. Unfortunately, many of those cheap stake lights didn’t last much more than a few weeks – and the phrase ‘buy nice, or buy twice’ really does apply here. Solar lighting options don’t have to cost a lot, but cheap lights are often made from much cheaper materials, and standards of manufacturing and safety may be compromised. Buying from a lighting specialist means that you’ll get high quality solar lighting that lasts, rather than failing after just a few weeks.

Depending on what you need (bigger gardens are likely to need a bigger budget, of course!) the budget for solar lights don’t have to be huge – there are some amazing options that cost under £20.

 

Our top picks of solar lights

It is hard to track down our absolute top picks of solar lights, because there are so many options that look great, and that suit different styles of gardens. You’re absolutely welcome to disagree with our choices here, and we invite you to search through our range of solar lights to find the perfect lighting solution for your garden.

 

Best solar lights for security

If you’re adding lighting that is there to keep you and those that are in your home safe, then you need reliable options that provide the light you need as well as looking great. This Lutec Table Cube Solar LED Outdoor Bollard Light is a stylish option, with adjustable height and a 3-step dimming feature. To provide additional lighting, a second high performance LED switches on when motion is detected, making it a perfect option for near entrances.

 

Best for solar lights for decoration

When you’re looking to create a pretty effect in flowerbeds, then these 365 Solar Colour Changing LED Stake Lights are ideal – they come in a pack of four, and couldn’t be easier to install. Simply push them into the ground, and ensure the solar panel is in sunlight.

 

Best solar lights for highlighting garden features

Once you’ve got your ambient and task lighting sorted in your garden, then you can start to apply accent lighting, to throw lighting on your favourite garden features. Whether you’re highlighting a statue, water feature or simply a gorgeous bush that is in flower, these Prima Solar LED Spotlights has a bright cool white light that shows those types of features off perfectly. And since they come in a set of 4, you won’t have to pick just one favourite!

 

Best solar lights for glamping

When you’re out camping, having enough lighting can sometimes be a challenge – especially if you’re on a campsite that is more back to basics. With this Suri Jar Solar LED Glass Lantern, you can position the lantern exactly where you need it, whether that is next to the tent, popping to the bathroom, or while you’re cooking into the evening. While we’ve picked it for camping though, it is too pretty to be packed away when you’re home – it is so versatile, it can be placed wherever you need just a bit more light on summer evenings.

 

 

Best solar in-ground lights

Marking the edge of a section such as decking is essential to prevent accidental injury. While adding lights to decking takes a few more tools, these Suri Solar Metal Cage LED Stake Light are a much easier option – with a ground spike, they simply push into soil where you need them.

 

Best solar lights for conservatories and pergolas

If you’re lucky enough to have a space like a conservatory or a pergola that you can enjoy into the evening, and you’re dressing the space as an ‘outside room’ then you need the right lighting solutions. We love this fully portable Endon Hallam Solar LED Outdoor Lantern with a PIR sensor to make sure you have light right when you need it.

The great thing about this light is that if you’re using your conservatory through the darker winter months then it comes supplied with a USB charger cable, allowing you to keep using the light when there isn’t enough sunlight.

 

 

Best solar lights to create an exotic effect

Are you turning your garden into a Moroccan paradise, or maybe you want to add just a hint of faraway lands? This Jumbo Damasque Outdoor Solar LED Lantern in silver, or in antique bronze provides that perfectly, casting a beautiful pattern across patios and decking.

 

Best solar lights for a classic look

Just because the technology is modern, it doesn’t mean that you can’t have a classic light for your garden. This Suri Fawn Solar LED Lamp Post in black is the epitome of classic garden styling, while this Solar Outdoor Wall Light gives a classic look on a smaller scale.

 

Best solar lights for parties

Parties and celebrations really are where solar lighting shine – pun completely intended! Solar festoon lights, and solar fairy lights provide the perfect celebratory atmosphere, no matter what the occasion. Whether you prefer coloured options, warm or cool white lights, there are options to suit your needs.

For a more industrial, hard-wearing look, these 365 Industrial Lantern Solar LED string lights provide fantastic amounts of light that are perfect for decking areas and al fresco dining,

If a more delicate look suits your needs, then fairy lights are perfect – whether you choose white LEDs like these Suri ones, or coloured ones like these colour changing string lights.

 

 

Best flexible solar lights

When you need a temporary lighting solution, or your area isn’t quite as secure as you’d like, then you need solar lighting that can be brought inside at the end of an evening. This stylish Astro Kuro 250 Solar LED feature lantern provides a lot of light, but has three different brightness settings, making it an ideal option, whether you’re hosting an intimate dinner for two on the patio, or you need as much light as possible for a garden party that went on for longer than you expected.

 

Best solar lights for lining paths

When you need to light up a path to show the way to the entrance, solar stake lights are a great way to provide that, without needing to spend a lot of time doing installation.

These Suri solar LED stake lights finished in stylish dark grey have a tubular decorative filament style lamp effect, and provide a lovely glow wherever they are placed.

To add a little colour with your stake lighting, try these 365 mesh LED stake lights that change colour. They’re designed to be in place all year round – so you won’t need to bring them in during the winter months.

 

What do I do if my solar lights stop working?

It can be frustrating if you receive a new set of lights that you’re excited to get fitted and enjoy, only to find they don’t work, or if they stop working. If such a situation occurs, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ve been sent a bad set, or that you need to replace them. Here are our top tips to check if your lights either stop working, or don’t work.

 

• Check that the pull tab has been removed from the battery –there is sometimes a tab that needs to be removed before installation, so if you’ve just bought your lights and they’re not working, double check there.
• Ensure they’re switched on – as they’re solar powered, there’s sometimes an assumption that they’re always on, but some models have on and off switches.
• Cover the panel – if the light is working properly, then when you cover the panel, the light should work.
• Clean the solar panel – your solar light needs sunlight to work properly, so if the light has been installed for a while, a clean with a damp cloth should help. It is a good idea to do this regularly anyway, as preventative maintenance.
• Ensure the panel is getting enough light – without enough sun through the day, the light won’t get charged enough to make it work.

 

When you’re troubleshooting, these are some of the tests that our experts are likely to ask you to try:

 

• Check if they work with an alternate power source. Some solar lights allow for regular batteries, or mains power to be used. This will allow for the specialists to identify where the issue is.
• Switch off for 72 hours. Sometimes, you have to try the old ‘have you switched it off and on again’ trick. If your lights have an on/off switch, try switching them off and leaving the panel in full sunlight for a few days to completely recharge the battery.

 

If your lights don’t work, then it is best to contact the company you bought them from directly – you’re covered by UK law, but most companies – like us – will want to ensure that you’re happy, so if you get in touch, they’ll be able to help you quickly. If you bought the solar lights from us, then you can find our contact details here, and you can review our terms and conditions here.

 

Final thoughts

Solar powered lighting may not be the optimal solution in all positions throughout the garden, but in many cases, solar lights can provide much of the lighting that you need for endless balmy summer nights in your garden, as well as brightness for security all year round. Can’t find what you’re looking for, or you have questions about our products? Give us a call on 0345 646 1139.