Solar lights are a very popular solution to illuminate outdoor spaces, from gardens and patios to balconies and decks. They&#;re not only environmentally-friendly, but they also allow households to save money on energy bills in the long term.
If you&#;re considering this lighting solution for your home, you might be wondering how long solar lights actually last.
Though the answer to this common question will depend on several factors, such as the quality of your solar lights and where you live, we can give you an idea of how long solar garden lights tend to last.
In this quick guide, we will answer some of our customer&#;s most common questions about solar lights.
We will look into how long solar outdoor lights usually last, how long solar lights take to charge and how long you can expect these lights to last at night.
So, let&#;s get straight to it!
How long do solar outdoor lights last?
Solar lights, like most rechargeable devices, eventually run out of power and need to be recharged. But, how long do solar outdoor lights last?
On average, solar lights last between 1 and 2 years before you need to replace the rechargeable batteries inside the solar light&#;s panel. This is the equivalent of 300 to 600 continuous charges.
The exact amount of time that your solar lights will last depends on the batteries that you use for your solar garden lights.
If you use NiMH rechargeable batteries, you can expect your solar lights to last over 2 years. This is because NiMH batteries have a high storage capacity, which means that they can power your solar lights for longer periods of time, consequently requiring less charges.
On the other hand, if you opt for NiCad batteries, you can expect your solar lights to last only 1 year. This is due to the common memory problems experienced by this type of battery, as they tend to forget the ability to achieve a full charge over time.
How long should solar lights last?
Now that you are aware of how long solar lights typically last, we will discuss how long should solar lights last. This means how long can you actually expect your lights to last without replacing their batteries.
So, how long should solar lights last?
Your solar lights should last between 6 months and 2 years, depending on the type of rechargeable batteries that you use. As a manufacturer&#;s guarantee, solar lights that use NiCad batteries should last between 6 months and 1 year, whereas solar lights that use NiMH batteries should last between 1 year and 2 years.
It is important to know how long solar outdoor lights should last so that you can easily identify any issues with your lights. For example, if your lights stop working only 1 month after you started using them, it will likely be due to a problem with the solar light&#;s system.
On the contrary. If you&#;ve been using your solar lights for over 1 year and they slowly stop working properly, it usually means that your solar batteries need to be replaced.
How long do solar lights last at night?
The amount of time that solar lights last at night time will depend on where you live and the time of the year.
On average, solar lights will last between 4 and 12 hours at night, depending on the rechargeable batteries that you use, the country where you live and the season of the year.
If you live in a warmer area, like Southern Europe or South America, solar lights can easily last 10 hours at night all year round.
If you&#;re based in a Northern European country, like the UK, or North America, solar lights will usually last less time at night during Winter months. In these countries, you can expect solar lights to last 6 hours on average during Winter.
There are some things that you can do to ensure your solar lights last as long as possible, such as utilising NiMH batteries, using larger, high-quality solar panels, and placing your solar lights in direct sunshine away from shadows.
How long do solar garden lights take to charge?
Solar lights usually charge during the day, when there is enough sunlight. Solar garden lights work efficiently by using the sunlight absorbed during the day, which is then converted into electrical energy. This electrical energy powers the solar lights at night.
The amount of time that solar garden lights take to charge will depend on the time of the year. During winter, solar lights take longer to get a full charge due to the reduced amount of sunlight. On the other hand, during Summer months, solar lights tend to get a full charge much faster.
So, how long do solar lights take to charge?
On average, solar lights take between 8 and 12 hours to charge completely. The exact amount of time that it takes for your solar lights to charge will depend on the quality of your solar panel, where you place your solar lights, the batteries that you use and, most importantly, the time of the year.
How long do solar lights stay on?
You can expect your solar lights to stay on between 4 and 12 hours. The amount of time that your solar lights stay on will depend largely on the time of the year.
During Winter, there is less sunlight so lights will stay on for a reduced amount of time. From October until March, solar lights typically stay on for 6 hours on average if you live in a cold country.
On the other hand, during Summer months, your solar lights will typically stay on for a long period of time due to the abundance of sunshine. Your solar lights can stay on for 12 hours during hot months. This will usually be between April and September.
To ensure that your solar lights stay on for as long as possible, it is fundamental to ensure your solar lights and their panels are high-quality. Choosing the right outdoor lights will make a huge difference.
Solar Lights That Last
Now that you know everything about solar lights, you&#;re likely asking yourself where you can find the highest quality solar lights that actually last. We have the answer!
As a rule of thumb, the more you pay for your lights, the better quality they will be, which means they will last a longer time.
Of course, if you&#;re on a budget, you can buy extremely cheap options from Amazon, but unfortunately these lights tend to be low quality. Consequently, they will either give you a very reduced light output with a low brightness, or they might break more easily.
So, if you&#;re looking for high-quality solar lights, you can find below the best solar lights that last:
Solar Spotlights
If you have a big garden or outdoor space, then solar spotlights are a great lighting solution that last a long time. If you choose a spotlight in the medium to high end range, you will have an efficient light that emits decent levels of brightness all year round.
At OutdoorLights, we offer a warm solar LED spotlight option to add a cosier atmosphere to your garden. If you prefer the more traditional bright spotlights, you can also get our bright white solar LED garden spotlights.
Premium Solar Fairy Lights
When it comes to browsing for solar fairy lights, you need to be extra careful if you want to find a solar fairy light that will last. You will find many cheap options at popular retailer websites like Amazon and eBay, but unfortunately these lights tend to use very low quality cells in their solar panels, which means they won&#;t last that long.
You will get efficient and thoughtful service from JM.
Therefore, you should look at premium solar fairy lights instead. These lights are usually a bit more expensive but they use larger and higher-quality solar panels that absorb sunlight more efficiently. As a result, these solar lights tend to last a long time.
An example of this is OutdoorLights&#; premium 200 colored solar garden lights or the 200 warm white solar fairy lights.
Solar Decking Lights
Solar decking lights add an element of luxury and security to your outdoor space. Due to these lights being considered a high-end item, usually most decking lights are durable and use high-quality panels to give a great amount of light output all year round.
If you&#;re looking for a lasting solution that will add character to your decking area, you can check out OutdoorLights&#; color changing solar decking lights.
Remote Control Solar Wall Lights
Our final recommendation for solar lights that last is a remote control wall light. Though these lights are more difficult to find, they usually last longer due to the efficient use of solar panels.
In addition, you can enjoy the convenience of a remote control to switch the light on and off, or choose a different lighting mode.
Learn More about Solar Lights
Solar lights are a great alternative to mains-powered lighting. They are not only a great green solution but they can also be a great long-term investment. The truth is when it comes to solar lights, it can be hit-or-miss. You will find many &#;good value&#; solar lights that are low quality but won&#;t last a long time.
Therefore, it is extremely important to look at the different properties of the solar lights when you&#;re browsing.
Additionally, you can also look at the reviews to check whether existing customers are happy with their lights.
Finally, if you have a good budget, sometimes it is better to opt for more expensive, high-quality solar lights that will last years to come.
If this blog post has answered your question or if you would like to learn more about all things related to solar lights, feel free to visit our specialist blog about lighting.
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In a time where most things are disposable, high-quality solar lights stand out in that they are built to last &#;&#; providing value for years after purchase.
Whether you&#;re in the process of designing an outdoor illumination system for the front of your home, want to spruce up your garden with some quiet ambience, or would like to add some brightness to a walkway, solar lights are a great option to consider to make your dollar go further.
You may be wondering, though &#;&#; do solar lights last long enough to be worth the cost? After all, some traditional electric outdoor lighting can seem cheaper. The answer is yes, especially if you take the time to care for them.
Here we will answer some common questions people have when considering purchasing solar lights, and some tips on how to maximize your solar lights&#; lifespan to make them all the more worth it.
Generally speaking, the batteries in outdoor solar lights can be expected to last about 3-5 years before they will need to be replaced. The LEDs themselves can last ten years or more.
Solar lighting is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional lighting sources. One of the key benefits of solar lighting is its long lifespan, which means that it can provide bright, reliable light for many years with little to no maintenance. In this article, we will explore how long solar lights last and the factors that can affect their lifespan.
Solar lights are designed to be durable and resistant to the elements, but like any product, they will eventually need to be replaced. The lifespan of a solar light will depend on a number of factors, including the quality of the product, the amount of sunlight it receives, and the amount of use it receives.
On average, solar lights can last for several years before they need to be replaced. Many solar lighting products come with a manufacturer's warranty that covers defects and other issues for a certain period of time. This can give you an idea of how long the product is expected to last under normal use.
One of the key factors that can affect the lifespan of solar lights is the amount of sunlight they receive. Solar lights rely on sunlight to charge their batteries, and the more sunlight they receive, the longer they will be able to provide light. In general, solar lights that receive a lot of sunlight will have a longer lifespan than those that receive less sunlight.
Another factor that can affect the lifespan of solar lights is the amount of use they receive. Solar lights that are used frequently will typically have a shorter lifespan than those that are used less often. This is because the batteries and other components of the solar light will wear out over time with frequent use.
You will know that it is time to change parts when the lights are unable to maintain charge to illuminate the area during the night.
There are a few adjustable factors that can also affect the lifespan of your outdoor solar lights.
For one, their placement in relation to other artificial lighting can diminish or enhance their longevity. Make sure that your outdoor solar lights are placed in direct sunlight at a distance from street lighting or house lighting, as too close of a proximity can throw off the sensors that cause them to kick on in low lighting.
Apart from their location, the cleanliness of the solar panels can also be a factor in solar light upkeep. Especially if you have your lights located near a garden or other typically dirty area, be sure to wipe off the panels every other week so that they get sufficient sunlight.
While most lighting systems are designed to withstand various kinds of weather and climates, they function best when they can receive a full day of direct sunlight and are not at risk of being covered in snow or knocked over by severe winds. If you are concerned about the weather at particular times of year affecting your solar lights, consider storing them for these periods.
If your outdoor solar lights receive enough sunlight for a full charge (usually about eight hours), they will be able to illuminate all evening, starting when the light gets low, around sunset.
However, the placement of solar lights can have a significant impact on their performance. In this article, we will explore some of the key considerations for solar light placement and how it can affect the performance of your solar lighting system.
Sunlight: Solar lights rely on sunlight to charge their batteries and provide light. Therefore, it is important to place your solar lights in an area where they will receive plenty of sunlight. This will ensure that the batteries are fully charged and that the solar lights are able to provide the maximum amount of light. The best location for solar lights is a south-facing area that receives direct sunlight for the majority of the day.
Shadows: Shadows can significantly reduce the amount of sunlight that solar lights receive. If your solar lights are placed in an area where they are frequently shaded, they may not be able to charge their batteries fully and may not provide as much light. To maximize the performance of your solar lights, it is important to avoid placing them in areas where they will be shaded by trees, buildings, or other structures.
Distance from the electrical grid: Solar lights do not require a connection to the electrical grid, which makes them a convenient and cost-effective option for illuminating outdoor areas. However, the distance of your solar lights from the electrical grid can impact their performance. The farther your solar lights are from the electrical grid, the more sunlight they will need to generate the same amount of light as traditional lighting sources. To ensure that your solar lights are able to provide the desired amount of light, it is important to consider the distance from the electrical grid when determining the size and placement of your solar lighting system.
Landscape features: The landscape features of your property can also impact the performance of your solar lights. If your solar lights are placed in an area that is prone to flooding or other extreme weather conditions, they may not be able to perform optimally. To ensure that your solar lights are able to provide reliable light, it is important to consider the landscape features of your property when determining the placement of your solar lighting system.
By considering factors such as sunlight, shadows, distance from the electrical grid, and landscape features, you can help to ensure that your solar lights are able to provide bright, reliable light for many years.
Sometimes lights will stay on longer or shorter, a problem which can usually be attributed to how well the panels are able to absorb the light. Again, checking to make sure that your lights are in the optimum spot (in direct sunlight, away from shadows or covered up by plants) can help ensure they are performing at their best.
If you are concerned that the batteries in your lights are being overused, consider either setting a timer for the lights or turning them off and/or putting them away for some periods of time. You may want to also test a few different locations before deciding on a permanent place for your lights.
You may find that in the course of your light&#;s life, that you encounter some problems with their functioning.
Common problems include the battery dying, weak light due to poor sunlight absorption, or general light malfunction. These issues can likely either be attributed to the age of your solar light or the cleanliness of the solar panels themselves.
If you are having issues with your lights, check the battery and clean off the panels to see if that rectifies the problem before you go looking to purchase new ones.
Since solar lights do not use electricity, and last for several years without needing to be replaced, the savings from choosing them over traditional outdoor lighting can quickly prove worth it. Not to mention the better environmental impact!
With the right care and maintenance, you can make sure to maximize the life of your lights so that they illuminate your space while proving their value. As mentioned above, you can anticipate about two years of longevity before the batteries will need replaced, although they may last longer than that. The LEDs themselves often last 10 to 15 years before they burn out.
The two best things you can do to sustain your lights are to choose a great location with direct sunlight, and keep your panels squeaky clean. No matter what project you have cooking up in your home or garden, there are likely outdoor solar lights that will be the perfect fit for you.
Ready to buy? Outdoor Solar Store carries a number of different types of lights for purchase, from lamp posts to spot lights and flood lights, to name a few.
Browse our selection to find the light system you&#;ve been looking for.
For more information, please visit how long do solar led lights last.