How to Choose Outdoor Solar Lights

  

Lighting up your outdoors is important for both safety and ambiance. Solar garden lights provide an energy-efficient way to light up your garden or yard without requiring electricity. You can easily light up walkways, patios, decks, or yards with solar garden lights. However, before you switch to solar fence post lights or patio lights, it’s important to understand how to choose the right product for your outdoor space.

Consider the Level of Brightness

 

Outdoor solar lights come with different levels of brightness. Depending on the size and type of outdoor space you want to light up, you can opt for maximum illumination by purchasing flood solar lights with lumens ranging from 700 to 1300.

Alternatively, if you only need minimal illumination, you can opt for lights with 100 lumens or less. Solar lights are also available with different types of light ranging from soft ambient lighting to bright LEDs. Consider the type of lighting your space needs to make sure that you are buying the right outdoor solar lights for your space.

Consider the Type of Battery

 

When you purchase solar fencepost lights or other types of solar lights, they will typically charge themselves during the day. This means that during the sunny season your outdoor lights will likely get sufficient charge from the sun. However, in areas with limited sunlight or during colder seasons, the lights may need more charging. This is why checking the capacity of the battery is important.

High-capacity batteries will help to keep your lights going for longer even when there is limited sunshine. Lithium-ion batteries are usually a good option since they typically have a high capacity that can sustain your lights for extended periods.

Consider the Recharge and Run Times

 

Solar-powered lights typically have a recharge time which is the amount of time they need to be fully charged. This means that lights with a higher recharge time will take longer to charge, especially when there is limited sunshine.

It is also important to consider the run time or the amount of time the solar lights can remain on after they are charged. The longer the run time, the more illumination you can expect to get from your solar lights. Keep in mind that run time will also depend on how efficiently your solar panel harnesses sunlight during the day.

On average it is best to consider solar lights with a recharge time of 6 to 7 hours and at least 10 hours of run time.

Consider the Coverage Angle and Distance

 

When choosing outdoor solar lights, it is important to ensure that they are fit for purpose by considering the coverage angle and distance that they can illuminate. Some solar lights come equipped with motion sensors that signal the light to turn on when there is movement. This type of solar light ideally gives a coverage angle of 120 degrees or more.

 

You will also want to consider the range or distance of coverage so that you can choose solar lights that provide the required illumination based on your needs.

Check for Durability

 

Solar lights, like any other outdoor equipment, will be subject to harsh weather and other elements. Check that the lights are solidly constructed to withstand the elements. Materials like cast aluminum, stainless steel, and ABS are popular since they tend to be sturdy and weather-resistant.