Traditionally, exterior lighting has been hard wired to an electrical source. This typically is not a cheap process as the electrical components must be weather proof due to wind, snow and rain. Additionally, the wires and cords are usually hidden to keep the garden’s appeal pleasant. Again, this involves more labor and thus more cost.

Solar garden lighting solves most of the problems encountered with hard wiring garden lights. They are typically designed to withstand weather conditions and are available in a variety of designs and shapes.

Sunflower Solar Light Photo by Crystal Church

Solar garden lighting usually comes with a built in solar panel on top. During the day this panel collects the sun’s energy and transforms it to power for use at night. Most solar garden lighting fixtures store the energy in rechargeable batteries that then power the lights at night. These batteries will typically last two or three years before needing replaced.

Another type of solar garden light uses a solar panel that may be place near the solar light or if necessary a little distance away from it. The solar panel may or may not be wired to the light. If the solar panel is not wired to the light fixture it must be attached before use in order to provide the power it collected from the sun.

Solar garden lighting uses photocells to detect light and dark. This allows the solar lights to only light up when it is dark, thus eliminating the need for on/off switches or timers.

Solar garden lighting requires very little maintenance other than an occasional cleaning of the solar panel to remove dirt and dust buildup which could prevent optimal capturing of solar power.

Solar garden lighting does not provide the same brightness or intensity as hardwired lighting. It is more of a soft illumination. Grouping solar garden lighting will add more light to an area if needed.

Solar garden lighting is very simple to install. Most often they are either attached to a wall, hug on an outdoor pole or inserted into the ground. Solar garden lights that are for pathway lighting are usually inserted into the ground. Installation is that simple.

The most advantageous aspect of solar garden lighting is in the cost factor. Using solar garden lighting does not require hiring an electrician to overhaul your circuitry and install new outdoor outlets. You are able to do the complete installation yourself.

In addition to installation savings there is the power savings. Once you buy the lights, that is the end of paying for them. There are no power bills to pay, as the sun is proving the energy. You may have to replace batteries every two or three years but that is all. You are also saving the planets natural resources by using solar energy.

Solar garden lighting is a cost effective way of adding ambience to your garden or just providing illumination for safety reasons. Regardless of the reason, going solar helps to save the planet and your budget.

-Sharon Chapman

Garden solar lights are available in typical, traditional designs and as uses for these lights progressed so did the designs. Today, garden solar lights can be found as frog, gnomes, trolls, tiki lights, floodlights and more. 

Sunflower Solar Light Photo by Crystal Church

Pathway lights that solar powered are available in various heights ranging from uplights to knee height. Taller pathway garden solar lights and even the ground level ones are available in white lights and also in various colors to add creative lighting to your pathways.

Pathway lights that are dim and closely spaced together to create a trail of light to the doorway or around the edges of the pool create a beautiful, glowing path welcoming your guests.

Other garden solar lights are available that float on the top of your garden’s water features, be it a pool or a pond. Floating lily pads lit up with soft hues of light cast a spell on your garden scene that is enchanting. Choose your lighting color to match the mood you are setting, be it festive or romantic.

Another use for garden solar lights is around your deck. You can purchase string garden solar lights in a variety of whimsical shapes and themes to match the event or the design of your garden. Hang them around the deck to brighten the evening.

Tiki torches can also be purchased that are solar powered. These may not offer the same mood as an actual flame, but they are safer and don’t have to be monitored. Stake one or two in the ground near the deck and let the luau begin.

Garden solar lights are also available as wall mounted fixtures. These lights gather their energy during the daylight hours and store it for use at night. Just like typical wall mounted lights they are used as porch lights or flood lights to brighten dark carports. The only requirement is having a sunny location during the day, although some do have an extension wire that allows you to place the solar panel in a different location than the actual light fixture.

One of the most recent garden solar lighting ideas has been holiday lighting. Although you won’t use them year round, when you do need them they can be a great saving to your energy bill. In addition, the clear ones can be used year round as lighting for hedges.

Adding strings of clear white garden solar lights to hedges, making sure to tuck the connecting wires into the bushes creates the twinkling effects of star dancing in the hedges. This lighting is perfect for an evening gathering in the garden.
 
Garden solar lights are constantly evolving. From the original pathway lights that showed the way home to designs and figurines limited only by your imagination, adding light to your garden doesn’t have to increase your power bill and can be as creative as you want it to be.
 
-Sharon Chapman