Solar Garden Lights: Do They Last Forever?

Wondering how long the solar garden lights will last? Proper lighting is fundamental at home both indoors and outdoors. If you want to design the outdoor illumination system of your house front, you will need to make the right choice with your lighting fixtures. In recent times, homeowners have been using solar lights to illuminate the front of their homes. One benefit of the solar lighting system is that they help to conserve electricity while brightening your porch. 

Their Durability

One thing about the solar garden light system is that they can last for quite some time. First off, they just work like any rechargeable products out there. They will run out of power and will require some recharging at some point. Luckily, they will automatically recharge without you having to recharge them.

So, these lights will suck up the energy during the day, and light up your outdoor throughout the night. The solar lights will store up the energy in the batteries and use it to light the bulbs when darkness creeps in. But the question is whether this lighting system is long-lasting or not. And that is what we will be discussing.

How long do the solar garden lights last?

Typically, the batteries that are fitted in the solar light system are set to last for 3 to 4 years. This means that it will recharge severally until the power drains out completely. Nonetheless, this will be affected by a few factors. Let’s explore them, shall we?

1. Solar Garden Lights: The Installed Bulb 

The bulb that you install in the solar lights fixture will determine how long the batteries will last. Some bulbs have more watts, which means that they will consume more energy. In this case, they will use up more battery power compared to those with fewer watts. 

In the long run, the bulbs with fewer watts will preserve the installed battery, which means that they can last for as long as the manufacturers claim. However, if you keep using the bulbs with more watts, the batteries may not last for that much. 

Keep in mind that most of the LED lights have a lifespan of up to 10 years. So, don’t be surprised to have the solar light batteries lasting for a limited time compared to the LED. In other words, you may have to change the solar batteries once or twice while the LED bulbs are still running.

2. Solar Garden Lights: Their Placement

The placement of the solar lights in relation to artificial lighting can affect the longevity of the batteries. When the solar lights are placed away from direct sunlight and too close to artificial sunlight, it will affect its delivery. You see, if the solar light to too close to the street or house lights, the artificial light will tamper with the sensors onboard.

These sensors are the ones that enable the light to go on whenever darkness creeps in. If the sensors are damaged, the light may not power at any time. This might force you to replace the sensors or the entire unit. So, ensure that the solar lights are placed far from the artificial sunlight and in direct sunlight.

3. Solar Garden Lights: Cleanliness Of The Solar Panel

You might wonder how the cleanliness of solar panels can affect its longevity. What happens is that the excess dirt on the solar panel will block the sunlight from getting to the panels. We all know that the solar panels on these units receive sunlight and convert it into energy stored in the installed batteries.

So, if the solar panels are blocked, they will not receive enough sunlight to recharge the batteries. That is why you have to wipe off the dirt regularly and ensure that the solar panels on the lights are clean. Keep in mind that the dirt could be acidic, which might then combine with acidic rain. As a result, this might end up corroding the solar panels. This will then end the life of the solar panels for good.

If you have the solar lights installed near a dirty area like a garden, make sure you check it frequently and wipe off the panels once every week. 

The Energy-Saving, Solar Option

Regardless of all the factors that affect the longevity of solar garden lights, these illumination systems are the best choice when you want to conserve energy and keep your front door well-lit. Choosing the ideal fixtures is one way of how to improve your garden with solar lights.

Always go for the proper solar lights fixtures that are suitable for your garden. Once you find the right fixtures to use at home, check that the solar panels on them are long-lasting. You need to ask your supplier about the lifespan of the solar lights that you want to install in your garden.

How Can You Extend Your Solar Garden Lights Longevity/Performance?

• Keep the solar panels clean at all times by wiping the panels with a clean, soft cloth once a week or once every two weeks. 
• Store the solar lights indoors during winter or rainy seasons. This helps to preserve their lifespan.
• Do not place the solar lights near plants. The plants can cover the solar panels, which will prevent them from receiving enough sunlight and lighting up the bulbs. This also helps to prevent the amount of dirt that tends to accumulate on the solar panels.
• If there is a long period of cloud or rain in your area, switch the lights to the off position. This will help to preserve the solar panel lifespan. You should also know that solar lights that come with glass can be damaged by extreme wind storms. Therefore, store them inside in those extreme weather conditions.
• When storing the inside, place the solar panels where they receive sunlight or house lighting to allow the battery to maintain the charge. The battery will lose charge when it is stored for a long time. 

Generally, make sure that the solar garden lights are safely stored indoors. Remember that these solar lights are only meant to highlight the garden and prevent someone from stepping in the garden at night. So, you won’t lose much when you store them in during the harsh weather conditions. 

Last Updated on November 23, 2022 by Himani Rawat