Do Solar Landscape Lights Work?

Solar lights are safe to use in almost any yard.

Landscape lighting featuring solar rechargers and LED lamps are finding their way into yards and gardens across the country. The costs in 2011 range from a few dollars per light up to $200 for an elaborate pole lamp. With no wires to run, no cost to operate, 6 to 8 hours of nighttime light and no maintenance, homeowners quickly see the benefits of adding solar lights.

Sunlight

Solar lights only work well with a good supply of sunlight. Placement is critical, as those located under heavy shade may not receive enough power to work well. An undercharged battery causes the light to flicker, go dark early or not even come on at all. Some lights come with a cord that allows the light to be in one location, and the recharger in another. This gives much more flexibility in designing a lighted landscape.

Styles

Solar lights now come in a wide variety of styles. The most common ones are those on top of a stake that is merely pushed into the ground where wanted. Others are designed to hang from poles, and some attach to walls. Designs can match any home decor from Victorian to modern and the case material ranges from plastic to high-grade metal. The more elaborate a case, generally, the more expensive the light.

Accent

Solar lights provide the right accent for many garden areas. They are attractive around a fish pond, and the reflections on the water create highlights. Walkways, edges and especially attractive garden scenes benefit from light during an evening stroll in the garden and yard. Hanging lights from shepherd's crooks brings the lights up to a higher level, allowing more light to spread across the garden.

Camping Lights

Solar yard lights are also finding another use at campgrounds. Because of their ease of use, many campers are now placing them about their campsite to provide visibility, security, safety and to mark their territory. When the camping trip is over, the lights are pulled from the ground and tossed in with the other gear.

References

• Efficient Home Energy Savings: Solar Yard Lights: Alternative Energy Ambiance; Ryan McCall; 2010
• Outdoor Solar Lights: Outdoor Solar Lights, a Simple Yet Efficient Solution
• Pennsylvania College of Technology: Green Up Your Garden With Solar-Powered Lights; 2009