How to Choose Solar Landscape Lighting

Solar lights provide homeowners with a way to light pathways, highlight accents or add ambiance to their landscaping without having to hire an electrician or bury wires. Styles include seasonal shaped lights like Easter eggs and pumpkins, animal shaped lights and copper or stainless steel lights.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Decide if you need accent, path or task solar lights. Accent lights provide a soft glow to mark a specific hazard like a step or softly illuminate bushes. Path lights illuminate walkways, driveways or paths. Use task lights as security lights with motion detectors or floodlights.

2. Find out whether the battery needs full sunlight to charge. Some lights charge with partial sun and work great under trees or in areas with low sunlight. This type of light should also charge on a cloudy day.

3. Consider the operation time. Most solar lights perform year round and even charge the battery to provide operation during long winter nights. Some lights shine for several days before needing to recharge.

4. Look at the type of light bulb the solar light uses. LED lights offer the brightest and most efficient light. Some accent lights use amber LED lights to create a softer glow.

5. Compare extra items like timers or an on-off switch to the cost. Colored lenses change the look of the lights without compromising the brightness. Some lights mount to your house or hang from trees.

6. Match the lighting to your landscaping theme. Solar lights shaped like animals complement a landscaped yard with bushes trimmed in animal shapes. Metal and copper lighting work well with slate or flagstone walkways.