There’s a lot of information about buying a solar power garden light on the internet today, but a lot of the questions or concerns that some people get round-about answers. Solar lights are great in certain situations, and quality ones will add beauty to your landscape and use a completely green source of energy. However, your solar garden lights will most likely be a smaller part of a much larger, comprehensive garden lighting scheme. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about solar garden lights.

Are they difficult to Install?

No, almost all solar garden lights are incredibly easy to install. You either just stake them into the ground or mount them on a wall or post. Other than that there’s no work to be done. No wires to dig, no switches, and no transformers.

Can they be installed anywhere?

Unfortunately, no. Despite all of the advances that have been made in solar technology in the last few years, your solar powered garden lights will still need several hours of direct sunlight each day to charge up and light up for the entire night. The longer you can have them in direct light the better. This means that you most likely won’t be able to place them under shady trees for up lighting or in any other dark areas.

Are they expensive?

No, solar powered garden lighting is not expensive. In fact, you can find some pieces for an incredibly cheap price. However, you will get what you pay for and these cheap fixtures will most likely cause you more problems than good. Instead shell out a little more for quality lights, which most times cost only a little bit more than more typical low voltage lights, and you’ll get enjoyment out of them for years to come. On top of this, you will save on electricity costs, so in the long run solar lights turn out to be cheaper than even low voltage lights.

How is a solar power garden light best used?

The best use for a solar garden light is for accent lighting. Solar lights don’t put out as much light as more high-powered options, which makes them bad choices for spotlighting or floodlighting. But, they do put out a good amount of soft, diffuse light, making them ideal for accent and mood lighting.

Will they burn for the whole night?

This depends on how much direct sunlight exposure the lights get and how long your night is. Most lights will burn for around 12 hours on a full charge. If you live in a higher latitudes and your nights are longer than 12 hours you may find that your lights burn out before sunrise. If your lights are placed in shadier areas and don’t fully charge up during the day, you’ll find they won’t last the whole night either.

How long do they last?

Solar lights can last for several years, but their lifespan depends on several things. If you have a quality light made of more high quality parts, it will obviously last longer. The most important part for the longevity of a light is the battery. Look at how many charges a battery can take. When the batter starts to wear out, it won’t hold a charge for as long and your light will burn dimmer for less time. One thing that negatively affects battery life is not having the lights charge all the way up, so make sure that your lights can completely charge up during the day.

Solar power garden lights are a great part of any comprehensive outdoor lighting scheme. Make sure that you know what their strengths and weaknesses are and use them accordingly. They’ll save you a little installation time and a lot in energy costs.

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Filed under: Garden Lighting Tips • Solar Lights

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