10 Best Solar Powered Patio Lights

Best Solar Powered Patio Lights in 2023

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Solar Lighting in the Garden

Covers the basics of solar lighting, as well as ways to utilize different kinds of solar lighting in the garden.

THE BASICS:

Solar lighting is relatively simple. During the day, a small solar panel collects energy from the sun, and stores it in rechargeable batteries (usual two or more AA's.) A photo sensor senses when it gets dark, and turns on the light, which remains on until there is no more power left in the batteries. The less sun the panel receives each day, the less time the light will remain on; solar lights work less well on cloudy days, in areas that only receive sun for part of the day, or in the winter (when there is less daylight.) Many fixtures have the solar panel built right in, but others operate with a separate solar panel. This enables you to place the light in a shaded location while the solar panel is in the sun.

Most solar lights snap onto a plastic stake that pushes easily into the ground. Other designs may hang from a staked hook or simply rest on the ground. Lights even come in the shape of rocks that blend seamlessly into the landscape. Simply set your lights up in a sunny area, let them charge for a full day, and watch them shine into the early morning hours.

PATH LIGHTING:

Solar lighting is commonly used alongside paths or walkways. Fixtures that direct light downward will light up a path nicely. Spacing lights 6-8 feet apart will often give adequate coverage. If your property is particularly dark or your path is treacherous, space lights closer together. Since solar lights are so easy to move, you can experiment to find the spacing that feels right to you.

Path lights come in a variety of finishes and shapes. Green or matte black fixtures will blend into your landscape more than polished nickel; it all depends on whether you want your lighting fixtures to be noticed during daylight hours. Modern, sleek designs might appeal to you, or you may like the look of old carriage lanterns. There are path lights to suit any style and taste; simply find one that you like!

SPOT LIGHTING:

Solar-powered spotlights may not be quite as bright as hard-wired lighting, but they can still do an excellent job of lighting a tree, garden sculpture, or other focal point of your garden. Spotlights are generally angled upward, and can be used to create dramatic lighting effects. Use them to highlight a trellis, a statue, or an ornamental tree. Use several spotlights, spaced evenly apart, to highlight taller plants toward the back of your garden, or light a birdbath from both sides. Look at your garden during the day; areas that stand out during daylight hours are often ideal spots to light at night. Perhaps you can light the side of a small potting shed, or maybe you have an arbor that could be transformed with some nighttime lighting.

Because spotlights often have to be positioned at the base of objects, where they may be shaded by other plants, many are available with solar panels that can be placed a short distance away from the light itself. Also, since spotlights are brighter and more one-directional than path lights, the distance you place a spotlight from an object will have a greater impact on the effect. For example, place a light too close to the trunk of a small tree, and the base of the trunk will be significantly brighter than the branches. The best effects are often obtained by placing the light several feet or more away from the object you are illuminating. Again, solar lights are easy to move, so experiment to find the best spot.

NOVELTY LIGHTING:

There is a seemingly endless array of novelty solar lighting on the market. While most novelty lights will not do much to actually light up your garden, they can provide spots of color and interest for those who walk by your garden at night. From dragonflies to garden gnomes, lighthouses, flowers, and color changing orbs, there are almost infinite ways to add subtle lighting to your garden. Lights can mimic candles or tiki torches. Novelty and ornamental lighting can be as eye catching or subtle as you like. If your tastes run toward the conservative and classic, stick to a single color and theme; small groups of white butterflies or small hanging lanterns with "flickering candlelight" is both beautiful and tasteful. If you prefer a more expressive, whimsical feel in your nighttime garden, mix and match colors and shapes.

Novelty lighting works well along a path, set back a few feet into the garden. Or, try using it around areas where people sit, like a garden bench or bistro table. You can focus on a few select areas to highlight, or you can space out a number of small lights evenly throughout the entire garden. Keep in mind that bright outdoor lighting can lessen the impact of your decorative solar lights; if you have bright streetlights, your small blue flowers may not be that noticeable. Look for areas that are sunny during the day, but dark at night for the best effect.

MAINTENANCE:

While solar lighting is virtually maintenance-free, there are a few things you should do every so often to keep your lights shining bright. Check your fixtures every so often; if they are dirty or covered in spiderwebs, clean them off with a wet rag. Plastic fixtures may fade over time; if you wish, you can repaint them with a plastic approved paint, making sure to keep paint off of the solar panel and photo sensor. After a year or more, you may need to replace the rechargeable batteries in your lights; if they seem dim even after a full day of sun, or if they don't seem to last more than a few hours into the night, it may be time to change the batteries. Buy batteries specifically designed for solar lighting; they are better equipped to handle the temperature extremes that outdoor fixtures are subjected to.

Most importantly, remember to sit out in your garden from time to time and enjoy the beauty your solar lighting brings to it!