Solar deck lights are outdoor lighting fixtures specifically designed to be installed on decks, patios, or staircases. They are powered by solar energy, which means they don’t require any electrical wiring or access to a power source.
Here are some key features and benefits of solar deck lights:
Solar-powered
Solar deck lights have built-in photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity during the day. This energy is stored in rechargeable batteries inside the light fixture, allowing them to illuminate at night without the need for external power sources.
Easy installation
Solar deck lights are typically designed for easy installation. They often come with screws or adhesive pads, making it simple to attach them to the surface of your deck or stairs. No wiring is required, which saves time and eliminates the need for an electrician.
Automatic operation
Solar deck lights are equipped with light sensors that automatically turn them on at dusk and off at dawn. Once installed, you don’t need to worry about manually switching them on and off.
Energy-efficient
Solar deck lights are an energy-efficient lighting option since they rely on renewable solar energy. During the day, the solar panels collect energy from the sun, and the LED bulbs used in these lights consume minimal power while providing sufficient illumination at night.
Weather-resistant
Since they are designed for outdoor use, solar deck lights are typically weather-resistant and built to withstand various elements, including rain, snow, and heat. They are often constructed with durable materials such as stainless steel or waterproof plastic to ensure longevity.
Decorative options
Solar deck lights come in various styles, shapes, and colours, allowing you to choose the ones that best match your deck or patio aesthetics. Some models even offer customizable lighting options, including different colour choices and lighting effects.
Cost-effective
Solar deck lights can be cost-effective in the long run. Once you purchase the lights, there are no ongoing electricity costs since they are powered by solar energy. They can help you reduce your energy consumption and lower your electricity bills.
When considering solar deck lights, it’s essential to ensure that the solar panels receive sufficient sunlight during the day for optimal performance. Placement in areas with direct sunlight exposure is crucial to maximize the charging capabilities of the lights’ solar cells. Remember to check product specifications, customer reviews, and ratings when choosing solar deck lights to ensure you select high-quality and reliable options that meet your specific needs.
What to Consider Before Installing Solar Deck Lighting?
Solar lights are portable and may be placed practically anyplace on a deck, although some spots are preferable to others. Setting the lamps to receive direct sunlight is crucial. The LEDs will remain at their maximum level and the batteries will remain charged. Solar lights, however, are less light than typical lights, even when fully powered. Therefore, rather than attempting to flood the deck with light, it is best for one to focus on establishing a “feel” or “mood” using solar lights.
Sun Exposure
Solar lights perform best when exposed to sunshine for six to eight hours daily at the very least. Low-voltage or conventional illumination may be preferred if your deck is shaded. The seasonality of the sun may also need to be taken into account. Winter days are shorter and the sun is less powerful in the north, but the nights are longer. As a result, solar lighting fixtures’ batteries might not be able to fully recharge in time to sustain the light level throughout the night.
Brightness
Despite advancements in solar technology, no amount of sunshine will be able to make solar fixtures glow as brilliantly or as consistently as ones that are hard-wired. For accent lighting, solar lights are frequently used. However, if you choose the right set of fixtures, solar lighting can be effective. For instance, couple dim (5 to 10 lumen) rail-mounted lights with bright (15 to 20 lumen) post caps.
Cost
Especially if you hire a professional to handle the work, solar light fixtures are now typically less expensive to buy and install than standard low-voltage lighting. If you assume that the solar-powered lights would last for 10 years, their operating expenses are similarly equal to those associated with electric lights.
Look for solar deck lights with flexible batteries to obtain the greatest value. Otherwise, when performance deteriorates or the gadget fails to function, you’ll have to discard the complete fixture. Every two to three years, the batteries should be updated.
Maintenance
Solar deck lights don’t require much maintenance beyond changing the batteries. Simply use mild soap and water to occasionally clean the solar panels. To make sure they receive sufficient sunlight to recharge, you might also need to prune back plants that have grown too close to the lights.
What Are the Benefits of Using Solar Deck Lights?
Wireless functionality
Electricity is required for the functioning of traditional lighting fixtures. This often isn’t an issue if you’re shining an interior area; you can simply plug the lamp in or run the wiring through the wall or ceiling. However, if you want to illuminate an exterior area, installing electrical cables to a deck, a fence, a driveway, or a pool is not only not feasible, but also very expensive, time-consuming, and occasionally unsafe.
On the other side, solar deck lights use the sun’s energy and store it in a battery pack. There is not a requirement for wired connections with them. The only thing to keep in mind is that they must be situated in any region that receives sunlight in full spectrum.
Green energy
Solar deck lights produce their own electricity using a mounted solar panel and don’t use any electricity from the power grid, making them considerably greener than standard electrical light fixtures. As a result, you use less energy, which lowers your energy cost. The natural environment will benefit as well!
Decoration
An outdoor space might be challenging to decorate. Outdoor furniture is far more limited in variety than indoor furniture, and the majority of decorative objects are not made to survive the outdoors. However, solar deck lights are completely windproof and waterproof. They also appear joyful, cost, and welcoming when lighted at night. Solar deck lights are certain to offer both, as well as a soothing glow on your wooden deck and RGB deliciousness in your garden.
How to Choose a Quality Solar Deck Light Set?
You can choose from hundreds, if not thousands, of solar deck light alternatives. It might take a lot of time and effort to sort through all of the potential to get the set that will be worth your money and installation time. Fortunately this process may be shortened by paying attention to a few crucial aspects. You may then calculate the value of a certain solar deck light choice and make a well-informed purchasing decision by assessing each of these aspects independently. Here is a list of things to look out for.
Exterior construction
The life span of a solar deck light is dependent on its external design. The majority of lights will break before their LEDs burn out since they are outside lights that must endure the weather. We suggest buying a set of deck lights made of either metal or superior ABS plastic to prevent this from happening. Furthermore, make sure the plastic is UV resistant; otherwise, it will soon disintegrate under intense sunlight.
Weather resistance
Since deck lights frequently reside outside of any roofs or other protective frameworks, they will be exposed to all types of weather, include dusty winds and downpours of rain. You should look for a solar light kit that has some level of IP weather and water protection. Though IP67 is the ideal sorting, lesser values like IP44 are acceptable. Without a rating, a solar lamp is most certainly not resistant and may not be able endure severe weather.
Solar efficiency
The size of the solar panel determines how much power it generates for the light: The bigger the panel, the more electricity it generates. Solar deck lights frequently lack huge panels and are comparatively small. The solar panels on your selected light set should be as effective as feasible as a result. We advise opting for lights that can be entirely charged in around 3 hours and then be used for one night. Better efficiency is also essential for places with low sunlight, especially during the winter.
Battery life
Another essential factor is battery life. One full charge should, at the absolute least, power the lights for a whole night. Anything weaker than that isn’t worth the installation’s time and money. Recall that some expensive lights can last for up to 5 days on a single battery life. Prior to making a purchase, take notice of the battery’s duration for charging, which can often be found on the product page?
Additionally features
Based on the attributes listed above, selecting a solar light set should help you select an item of outstanding quality. However, there are a few more features you may seek for if you’re searching for solar deck lights with a little something extra, such as RGB hues and motion-sensed activation. But keep in mind that these extras will increase the price.
FAQ’S of Solar Deck Light
What are solar deck lights?
One of the main substitutes for outdoor decorating of the garden, yard, patio and veranda is solar powered deck lights, also known as ground or in-ground path lights. There are many alternatives designs for this kind of LED solar path light, including multiple colour and brightness options.
How to Install Solar Deck Post Cap Lights
Normally 4×4 or 6×6 inches in size, make sure the caps fit over the posts. Use a converter if there is too much space between a post and a fixture. The fixture’s top must be taken off and the base must then be fastened to the post with screws or, in certain cases, exterior-grade glue. Install the battery after removing it from its protective putting and locking the fixture in place. Then, if the light has a switch, flip it to “on.” Finally, reassemble the fixture and snap it into the base after recharging the battery completely.
How to Install Solar Deck Railing Lights?
Railing-mounted fixtures cannot be tucked under the railing like wired lights can because solar-powered lights have to be exposed to the sun. As an alternative, these frequently wedge- or L-shaped lights are fastened to the top or side of the railing, with the solar panel facing up and the light emanating below. In some designs, the light fixture is secured to the vertical balusters of the railing by a clip.
How to Install Solar Lights on Deck Stairs?
Solar lights for deck steps must shine downward while the photocell is pointed upward, just as fixtures used on railings. As a result, stair-mounted lighting fixtures may be smaller that wedge-style railing lights. If the deck includes stair risers, place these fixtures there or attach them to the handrail’s bottom part.
What is the purpose of deck lights?
Deck Lighting Ideas
and now that you have deck lights, you can improve every part of your patio, stairs, and pathways, even the margins of your deck, which generally stay tucked and gloomy when the sun sets.
How do solar deck lights work?
Solar cells convert sunlight into electrical power in outdoor solar lighting systems. Batteries are used to store the electricity for consumption at night. Lead acid, sealed lead acid, and nickel cadmium batteries are typically used by manufacturers. In the majority of the United States, outdoor solar knowledge systems work effectively.
How long do solar decking lights last?
Typically, solar lights function for 6 to 10 hours every night for a time frame of up to five years. You could improve the duration of your solar lights by bringing these inside over the winter.
Who invented solar light?
Charles Frits, an American inventor, is probably best known as “the inventor of solar lights.”