How Do Solar Garden Lights Work?

Solar Garden Lights are a popular way to light up a walkway or to add a nice touch to a beautifully landscaped yard. These amazing fixtures can be used to illuminate just about any outdoor area from the driveway to the patio and require no cords or wires to install. So, how do they work?

Solar garden lights generate and store solar energy through solar cells within the fixture. It is important to note how much direct sunlight a solar light will be exposed to as this will determine how long the light will work at night. Some lights, too, may run longer than others depending on manufacturer's specifications, so it's a good idea to do some comparison shopping. Solar lights can last from 8 to 18 hours at night depending on the amount of sunlight that they received during the day and depending on the fixture itself.

For optimum results from solar lighting, northern exposure to sunlight can greatly increase how long the lights will work at night while southern exposure and shade can reduce their output.

Another thing to consider is whether to invest in incandescent or LED lights. LED lights are ideal for a number of reasons. They emit a more natural-looking, brighter light, produce very low heat, and can last up to 20 years.

There have been great advances since the advent of the first solar garden lights. They are now more energy efficient, brighter, and maintenance-free. Easy to install, these lights not only add safety to any outdoor area, but enrich the landscape with style.