Solar lights have been everywhere this summer. As technology advances, they’re becoming brighter, easier to use, and less expensive than traditional landscape lighting.
However, solar lights still have a questionable reputation among professionals. Most landscapers I know consider solar lights to be weak, unreliable alternatives. But this usually depends on placement. Even the best string lights won’t work if you don’t place them in the right spot.
I’ve tested dozens of solar lights, so I have plenty of practice placing them. I also spoke to a solar expert to get some insider tips on solar panel placement.
1. Place solar lights in direct sunlight
(Image credit: Getty Images / maxattenborough)
It may be a little obvious, but the highest priority is to get the solar panel in direct sunlight. You need to place the panel in the brightest part of your garden, and it’s not always obvious where that might be.
Sometimes the spot in your flowerbed that seems to get a lot of sun in the morning is completely in shade by the afternoon, so your flights no longer work.
Of course, this is often not possible, but there is a solution. Solar expert Andrei Marveaux says: “Consider using a remote solar panel connected to the lights. This way you can place the panel in the best possible sunlight.”
It’s pretty easy to find solar lights with long cables between the panel and the light fixture. For example, I reviewed these T-SUN spotlights on Amazon a few years ago and they have a 9-foot cable between the panel and the bulb.
Andrei is the Managing Director at SolarTech Solutions. Andrei has an engineering degree and over seven years of experience in the solar industry.
2. Always point your solar lights towards the south
In the Northern Hemisphere, the basic rule is to point solar panels towards the south. The sun moves across the sky in the south and this effect is even stronger in winter when it is lower in the sky.
If your solar panel is facing north, it won’t be as effective and your lights may be dimmer or not turn on when the sun goes down. A south-facing solar panel is optimal.
However, this may not be possible with your garden design. Andrei says: “If this is not possible, it will work if they are facing east or west. The important thing is that the solar panel gets as much direct sunlight as possible so that it can charge efficiently and be used later in the day.”
3. Reset path lights according to their height
(Image credit: Getty Images / Welcomia)
When lighting a pathway, my favorite tip is to set the lights back by their height. I recently heard from lighting expert Nels Peterson that you should place 12-inch-tall solar path lights, for example, a foot away from the pathway. This provides brightness without being glaring or drawing attention to the lights themselves rather than the pathway.
Of course, path lights aren’t just for lighting walkways, paths, or driveways. They’re also a great option for subtle lighting around flower beds. Unlike solar spotlights that can overwhelm plantings, path lights can emit a soft glow that provides more subtle lighting.
Bobcat Solar Path Lights
Solar-powered path lights are known for being dim, but these lights emit 300 lumens, making them perfect for lighting dark pathways.
Solar path lights from Enchanted Spaces
Plastic path lights can look a little cheap, but these aluminum solar lights look like expensive landscape lighting. And best of all, they last all night. One reviewer noted that her lights stayed on well after sunrise.
Solar driveway lights from Volisun
If you want to light up a driveway, patio steps or dock, you need this 16-pack of little lights. They can withstand up to ten tons, making them safe to drive over, and they’re IP67 rated, so they can withstand heavy rain.
4. Use solar fairy lights to create an atmospheric atmosphere
Although many of them are marketed for lighting large areas, fairy lights should not be used as practical overhead lighting. Instead, delicate fairy lights are best for creating a moody atmosphere.
Solar expert Andrei Marveaux says you can “hang them on your fence, pergola or trees to cast a welcoming warm glow. You can also drape them over outdoor dining areas to enhance the atmosphere at evening gatherings.”
If you want to light an area more brightly, you’ll need string lights rather than fairy lights, although the terms are used interchangeably. For bright overhead lighting, try string lights with at least 300 lumens and between 2700 and 3000 Kelvin.
These are still my favorite string lights. I’ve tested them for a few years and they’ve survived many seasons of snow and sun. They give off a calm, relaxing light that’s somewhere between bright string lights and twinkling string lights.
Kolpop solar string lights
This three-pack of lights offers great value for money, but my favorite feature is the replaceable batteries. Battery failure is the most common reason solar lights break, so the replaceable batteries in this model should keep these lights going for years.
Solar light chain “Brightech Ambiance”
Brightech’s string lights are a favorite with reviewers everywhere and have thousands of 5-star reviews claiming they can withstand years of harsh weather.
5. Install safety lights high up
(Image credit: Getty Images / Stush D80)
The golden rule with solar security lights is to mount them as high as possible. There are several reasons for this. The first is a simple practical consideration: the higher the light, the larger the area the light can cover.
The second reason is more of a security issue. Placing your lights as high as possible will help prevent them from being tampered with if someone breaks in.
However, you must position the motion detector so that the beam falls on a spot where intruders are likely to pass by and trigger the light.
Andrei recommends: “Mount them high to cover large areas and position them low enough to detect movement. You can also place some of them in dark corners of your property to avoid blind spots.”
These security lights are incredibly bright. But the best feature is the long cable between the solar panel and the light, so you can leave the panel in the sun and place the light where you need it.
Solar outdoor lights from Tuffenough
These lights are all you need to secure a garage or porch. This solar-powered two-pack features three different lighting modes and is IP65 weatherproof.
Peasaur solar security lights with motion detector
You don’t need anything fancy for security lights. This value pack is great for distributing around the garden and makes it easy to secure your garage, shed or home gym.
6. Keep the headlights low
If you want to light a tree from below, you will need solar spotlights. These should be installed as low as possible and far away from the trees for the best effect – some experts recommend a distance of up to 5.5 meters, depending on the light intensity and the height of the tree.
This sounds a little extreme, but if you place your spotlights too close to a tree or wall, you’ll end up with a single bright spot and the rest of the structure will be left in the dark. It can look quite harsh if you don’t diffuse the light over what you’re lighting up.
These are the rare solar lights we recommend for lighting a tree. They are IP68 waterproof and their 400 lumen brightness highlights trees without flooding them with light.
I tested these lights years ago, but they still work perfectly. The plastic looks a bit cheap, but they are great for lighting up trees and walls.
XTGTP Solar Color Spotlight for Outdoor Use
These solar spotlights can change color, which is perfect for creating different moods, especially during the Christmas season. I also love that the solar panel and lights can move independently, so you can always make sure they’re getting enough light.
FAQ
Can I use solar lights indoors?
You can use solar lights indoors, but it’s not always practical. If there’s a spot in your home that gets full sun all day, you can put a solar panel there to power your lights, but this isn’t often the case in most homes.
After placing your solar lights, you need to consider the angle of your solar panel to make sure everything works efficiently. Depending on where you placed your path lights and the sunspot you placed your solar panel in, the best angle is usually between 20 and 50°.
