Solar outdoor lights are such a great alternative to more traditional outdoor lighting. With a little bit of patience, you can have a beautiful lit garden at very minimal cost. So important at the moment with energy costs rising all the time.
How to choose your solar garden lights?
You first need to decide where you are going to use the lights. There are so many lighting options for flowerbeds, outdoor dining areas, pergolas and pathways. Lots of one type of solar light normally has more impact than using a few different types of solar lights all together but as long as they are used in zones they will all work perfectly together.
Here are some suggestions for you of how to use outdoor solar lighting in your garden.
Dot them in flower beds
Sparkle’s solar dandelion or fennel solar stake lights are perfect to dot in a flower bed.
Arrange along a wall, fence or path
Our starburst solar stake lights are great in a line along a wall, fence or pathway.
String them around a mirror or above a social area
Use outdoor solar lights on a string like the solar starburst fairy lights to hang around an outdoor mirror or fence to create a statement corner. A longer string of outdoor solar lights like the cluster solar fairy lights are perfect above a social area too to bring a twinkle, a cosy glow and help zone the an area.
Hang them in a tree or from a pergola
The solar lanterns are perfect for hanging from a pergola or tree or you can turn them into table lamps.
Use them to decorate an outdoor table
To light a table for entertaining, you could use our solar flame lanterns or our solar powered outdoor fairy lights to bring a warm glow to your space.
Do solar garden lights need direct sunlight?
Yes, you need to make sure that there are no shadows at all on the solar panel as this can really affect their performance.
The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, so a south facing panel will gain more sunlight and work more effectively. Solar lights can still work if they’re not facing due south; it just means they may not work to their full potential.
Do solar lights work in winter?
Yes, solar lights do still work in winter but may come on for a shorter amount of time depending on the amount of sunshine each day.
Why won’t my solar lights work?
There are a number of reasons that your solar lights may not be working. Here's a few things to check. You really do have to have some patience with solar lights and you will get the benefits over and over.
1. Lights need darkness
Lights need to be in complete darkness to see if they are working so you either need to put them in a cupboard or wait until the evening to see if they come on.
2. Make sure that they are switched on
This sounds really simple but it is often really hard to see if a solar light is switched on or off. It is best to test this at night.
3. Check that the pull tab has been removed from the battery
Each light comes with a battery pull that needs taking out before use.
4. Ensure the solar panel is clean
Use a dry or damp cloth to wipe the solar panel clean. You can also use a glass cleaner if it is particularly dirty.
5. Make sure that they are switched on
It is sometimes hard to tell if our solar lights are switched on so just give it a switch in the evening to see if they are switched on.
6. Switch off and leave for 72 hours
Sometimes the solar lights are being used so much, they get behind with their charging and they either won’t come on or they flicker. While they are on that evening, turn them off to give them a few days to get charged up.
7. Change the battery
There is a replaceable battery inside each of the solar lights. After some time the battery can become dead and needs replacing.
8. Contact retailer
If they still aren't work, do get in touch with the retailer.
Check out our selection of garden solar lights to bring a warm glow to your outdoor space all year.