Nearly every day, we receive questions about solar lights from people all over the world. At Solar Us Shop, we love solar powered lights for their ability to provide bright and functional lighting solutions, all with the free, sustainable energy of the sun. 

If you want to learn more, please visit our website.

With solar products of all shapes and sizes, we have amassed a tremendous amount of knowledge while assisting our customer’s with 

• Solar landscape lights
• Solar string lights
• Solar lanterns
• Solar fence post lights
• Solar flashlights
• Solar flagpole lights
• And more.

Below, we will answer some of the most commonly asked solar lighting questions.

Need more information? Feel free to read our Solar Panel FAQ or FAQ Solar Inverter FAQ for addiontal, sunny answers. 

Want to chat? You can us at . We are always happy to help create the best solar solutions for any lighting project. 

Can solar lights get wet?

Yes, most solar lights can get wet. Long-lasting designs are typically able to handle ordinary outdoor rainfall. If your solar light has IP65 waterproofing, it will be resistant to rain as well as damaging dirt particles in the air. 

Do solar lights need the sun or just light?

Solar lights work best under direct sunlight, but can also be charged at a less efficient rate with indirect light. Some solar lights may also be able to supplement their batteries with a charge via USB or another alternate power source. 

How long does it take for solar lights to work?

Some solar lights are delivered with a full battery and work instantly out of the box. If the battery is empty, solar lights typically take between 4 and 10 hours of sunlight to fully charge. If they are placed in an area with full exposure, lights installed in the morning will most likely work that night. 

Should you leave solar lights on all of the time?

As maintenance-free devices, it is okay to leave solar lights on all of the time. Most smart solar lights automatically toggle on and off at sundown and sunrise without any manual operation. To maximize the lifespan of your solar lights, you may want to bring them inside or turn them off when not in use for long periods of time. 

Do solar lights charge on cloudy days?

Yes, solar lights charge on cloudy days. Although the battery is not charged as quickly, small efficient solar panels can still generate electricity during partly cloudy and overcast conditions. 

How long do solar lights stay on at night?

Most solar lights run between 6 and10 hours on a full battery charge. This is purposefully designed so that lights can run all night after a day of average sunlight. 

Do you turn off solar lights at night?

In most daily use scenarios, you do not have to physically turn off solar lights at night. Instead, photocell light sensors will activate solar lights when it is dark and automatically shut them off in the morning. For some products, controls can be set to turn your solar lights on and off at specific times each day. 

Can you make solar lights brighter?

Yes, many solar lights have multiple brightness levels to optimize your outdoor space. High-powered devices like solar security lights can easily match the brightness levels of any existing property lighting system.  

Can you leave solar lights out in the rain?

Yes, most well-manufactured solar lights can be left out in the rain and maintain their functionality. Although some units are not completely waterproof, most sealed solar lights with a weatherproof resting of IP65 can withstand extended rainy conditions. 

Can you use normal batteries in outdoor solar lights?

Yes, many outdoor solar lights accept rechargeable AA or AAA batteries to power lanterns or property lights. Not all solar lights accept normal batteries, but many can be charged with another electricity source of some kind.   

How do solar lights turn on at night?

Solar lights turn on at night after detecting the absence of sunlight with a built-in photocell sensor. Lights are activated at sundown and will deactivate in the morning if there is any battery life still remaining. 

How do you install solar lights in hard ground?

To install solar lights in hard ground, you will need to hammer in foundation stakes before placing the lights around your yard. Most landscape solar lights include an installation mount and stake for easy set-up and transferring. 

Do solar lights wear out?

Yes, like all technology, eventually solar lights wear out. The typical lifespan of a solar light is between 2 and 5 years, depending on the area’s weather conditions and the quality of the materials. 

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. 

Can I leave solar lights out in winter?

Yes, you can leave solar lights out in the winter and there are many solar holiday lights specifically designed for seasonal use. Occasionally, people find that solar lights are not worth it in the winter due to limited sunlight hours and heavy weather conditions. In these instances, solar lights can be brought inside until spring to keep them working at their best. 

Can you charge a solar light indoors?

Yes, solar lights can still be charged indoors with direct sunlight through a window. For some products, it also may be possible to charge solar lights by plugging them into a power source with an included adapter.  

How do you revive a solar light?

Sometimes, too much dust and debris build-up may need to be cleaned in order to revive a solar light. If your light does not seem to be charging even after cleaning the panel, test the light with regular batteries or another power source if possible. 

How do I clean my solar lights?

It is very easy to clean solar lights by wiping the panel and other product parts with a damp cloth. For gritty damage, you can use soap and water or vinegar to safely clean solar lights. 

Can you replace batteries in solar lights?

Yes, for many different products, it is possible to replace the batteries in solar lights to restore and extend the unit’s storage capacity. As the solar panel’s efficiency slowly decreases, it is possible to replace the batteries as many times as necessary so long as the unit continues to function. 

Are solar lights worth the money?

Yes, in most cases solar lights are worth the money when operating on completely free electricity. Ordinary lights consume utility electricity every second that they are running, which can quickly add up to annual amounts far beyond the initial cost of a high-quality solar light. 

What do you do with old solar lights? 

Solar lights are made up of bulbs, batteries, and materials that each must be disposed of separately. Many of these parts can be recycled, which we strongly encourage you to do. 

Solar Lighting Applications in a Nutshell

Solar lighting is incredibly versatile. These ten applications show that businesses, municipalities, corporations, parks, and public places of all sorts can benefit from solar from numerous standpoints. Please consider solar as your lighting solution if your project sounds similar to one of these.

Solar LED lighting isn’t just one thing--it’s one system of components used for many things. The most important aspect of purchasing a solar light is if it does its job without hassle. Here are several ways that these lights perform in public

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Solar Lighting for Streets

One of the largest reasons why municipalities choose solar for their street lighting is because of how much of a nuisance construction can be, especially if lights are previously installed in the area. 

Imagine installing a full set of 30 grid-tie lights down sidewalks. That wouldn’t be practical for foot or auto traffic. It may require permits and permission from residents down the street to dig into their yards just to replace necessary lighting. Road closures may have to happen.

That’s not the case with solar. A single solar light can be assembled and installed in less than two hours. No road closures, blocked-off construction sites, or loud drills in the morning. Here’s an example of a street lighting project that saved several thousands of dollars and kept the community’s grounds intact.

Parking Lot Lighting--Solutions Fast

Sometimes companies need solutions quickly. Solar lighting is a fantastic solution in lighting for parking lots since the average time it takes to install lights (especially if pedestals are already present) is about 2 working days. 

Solar lights preserve parking lot pavement and keep commuters safe at night when safety can be a concern. 

Here is an example of how solar parking lot lights were a perfect application for a business.

Park and Park Beautification

Park lighting is notorious for installation for two reasons: grounds and public access. To install traditional lighting, the grounds must be dug into in order to access the power grid, destroying park beautification efforts. Plus, certain areas must be closed off to the public in order to install lighting. Those problems often go hand-in-hand.

The best idea for lighting a park is using solar--with quick, clean installation, lights can be erected in typically a day’s time once the pedestals are in place and dried. 

Here is an example of a park project where solar LED lighting was a perfect application.

Portable Lighting for Construction

Solar lights are quick and easy to deploy. They can be left on location to recharge without the need for noisy, smelly generators that require refueling. Once the project is done, they can be hauled to the next job site. 

Here is an example where solar lights worked great for a construction project, another fantastic application of solar LED lighting.

Airport Lighting

Sometimes airports require extra lighting in order for commuters to safely get from point to point. Airplanes on occasion will release passengers without a connecting gate at night. Solar lighting is perfect for such a situation—mobile solar towers (such as those equipped with ProStar PWM controllers) or portable lights can be transported out onto the airport tarmac where the lights can guide passengers safely into the terminal.

Military Solar Lighting

The military requires a standard that grid-tie options don’t always offer. Sometimes grid-tie can get messy, complicated, time-intensive, and expensive. Solar lighting projects for the military skip the hassle and provide a clean, fast alternative to lighting today. Here is an excellent project of solar lighting for the military.

Security Where You Need it Most

When paired with a motion detector, solar lights can be used to deter theft, enhance security, and provide light on an as-needed basis. The batteries charge via the solar panels during the day and then provide power for the light fixtures at night.

Lights for this application are often found in rural areas where open fields need light to work in. Solar lights are also placed in commercial and residential areas to prevent vandalism--just another major application of solar LED lighting.

Solar Retro-Fit Lighting

Are poles or pedestals in place, but with the lights out? Not a problem. Solar lighting can be installed onto older poles through a retrofit process. This means less hassle and quicker installation, provided that the poles will last. 

Solar Sign Lighting

Solar lighting for signage is perfect for businesses looking for more cost-effective ways of lighting their signs. Often times, billboard lighting can be problematic to power since signage is by roadways, near bushes and pavement, and can be costly to dig into the grounds to run power. Easement costs can multiply project fees and delay installation time, especially if the project is to light multiple signs in several different locations, each of them likely with unique configurations. With solar, you needn’t worry about permits or excessive trenching just for commuters to see your business signs at night.

Solar Canopy / Mailbox / Bus Stop Lighting

There are solar lighting options for canopies, mailboxes, and bus stops as well. Projects like these tend to focus lighting in small areas, so they tend to use fewer lights. You can customize your systems to fit the surroundings of the project area naturally. It’s near impossible to trench and wire for power in some mailbox areas, so solar is a natural option.

Are you interested in learning more about Small Solar Light Towers? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!