Lighting up your outdoors is important for
both safety and ambiance. Solar garden lights provide an energy-efficient way
to light up your garden or yard without requiring electricity. You can easily
light up walkways, patios, decks, or yards with solar garden lights. However,
before you switch to solar fence post lights or patio lights, it’s important to
understand how to choose the right product for your outdoor space.
Consider the Level
of Brightness
Outdoor solar lights come with different
levels of brightness. Depending on the size and type of outdoor space you want
to light up, you can opt for maximum illumination by purchasing flood solar
lights with lumens ranging from 700 to 1300.
Alternatively, if you only need minimal
illumination, you can opt for lights with 100 lumens or less. Solar lights are
also available with different types of light ranging from soft ambient lighting
to bright LEDs. Consider the type of lighting your space needs to make sure
that you are buying the right outdoor solar lights for your space.
Consider the Type of
Battery
When you purchase solar fencepost lights or other types of solar lights, they will typically charge
themselves during the day. This means that during the sunny season your outdoor
lights will likely get sufficient charge from the sun. However, in areas with
limited sunlight or during colder seasons, the lights may need more charging.
This is why checking the capacity of the battery is important.
High-capacity batteries will help to keep
your lights going for longer even when there is limited sunshine. Lithium-ion
batteries are usually a good option since they typically have a high capacity
that can sustain your lights for extended periods.
Consider the
Recharge and Run Times
Solar-powered lights typically have a
recharge time which is the amount of time they need to be fully charged. This
means that lights with a higher recharge time will take longer to charge,
especially when there is limited sunshine.
It is also important to consider the run
time or the amount of time the solar lights can remain on after they are
charged. The longer the run time, the more illumination you can expect to get
from your solar lights. Keep in mind that run time will also depend on how
efficiently your solar panel harnesses sunlight during the day.
On average it is best to consider solar
lights with a recharge time of 6 to 7 hours and at least 10 hours of run time.
Consider the
Coverage Angle and Distance
When choosing outdoor solar lights, it is
important to ensure that they are fit for purpose by considering the coverage
angle and distance that they can illuminate. Some solar lights come equipped
with motion sensors that signal the light to turn on when there is movement.
This type of solar light ideally gives a coverage angle of 120 degrees or more.
You will also want to consider the range or
distance of coverage so that you can choose solar lights that provide the
required illumination based on your needs.
Check for
Durability
Solar lights, like any other outdoor
equipment, will be subject to harsh weather and other elements. Check that the
lights are solidly constructed to withstand the elements. Materials like cast
aluminum, stainless steel, and ABS are popular since they tend to be sturdy and
weather-resistant.