Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Lowe&#;s. Thanks for supporting the brands that support The DIY Playbook.
A few weeks ago, I shared the process of adding these solar lights to my flower pots in our backyard and our front window box. I was instantly bombarded with messages asking about the other solar lighting I&#;ve used. People inquired about the solar lighting I added to our fencing five (!!!) years ago and the cool solar lanterns I bought for our porch last summer.
I quickly realized that people are interested in trying solar lighting, but they&#;re not so sure that the products will emit enough ambient light or last very long. It reminded me of the blog post I recently wrote about the solar panels on our roof. Everyone liked the idea in theory, but they wondered if they work and save energy and money in the long run. (Spoiler alert &#; we love our solar panels and they have been a great addition to our home!)
Today, I wanted to round up all of the solar lighting I have on the exterior of our home and share my favorite products for you to try! Lighting can elevate any space, inside or outside, and I think it&#;s a great idea to try out different lights in your space.
Outdoor Solar Lights For Our FenceMy first foray into the solar lighting world started with a pack of wall lights that I added to our fence posts. We installed a new fence back in the fall of and I added these solar lights to them right away. Instead of drilling into our new fence, I used this outdoor mounting tape and I am happy to report that they have not budged in almost five years! The mounting tape is an easy way to secure things without making holes in your home.
The lights are waterproof and rustproof and still look good and work well after all of this time. They emit a nice soft glow &#; nothing too harsh &#; that adds a lot to our backyard. And yes, they still work, even in the wintertime, when the days are not as sunny. They just need a bit of solar energy to work and emit a bright light.
I also found these post lights that intrigued me. You can replace the decorative post caps on your fence with these solar ones. I may have to give them a try and report back! They come in a few different colors and the white looks like it would match our fence well. Let me know if you&#;ve ever used anything similar. I would love to know your thoughts!
Patio Lighting IdeasOur backyard is the most delightful place to hang out during the warmer months. I recently revealed our new pergola and the outdoor room I created underneath. Since I installed it in April, we have gotten so much use out of this space.
In the past, I have always added versatile lanterns to our outdoor spaces and I buy battery-operated candles to place inside of them. However, I found that the candles never lasted more than a season and would get waterlogged quickly. Now, I&#;m a fan of choosing solar lanterns from the start! They last longer and there is no need to constantly replace batteries!
I purchased three of these outdoor lanterns last summer and left them on our front steps near our front door all year long. Yes, even during the wintertime! They still look great and add so much life to the front of our home. I love the shadows they make and how they light everything up out here.
Turn on your JavaScript to view content Must-Have: Outdoor String Lights!String lights are a must-have for me when it comes to illuminating an outdoor space. They brighten up any space and make it feel so elegant! These are the Edison bulb string lights that we added over our outdoor patio table and you can follow this tutorial to see exactly how we installed them.
Ours require electrical, but I see that they do offer solar string lights now! I&#;ve never personally tried them before, but it would be a great way to brighten up your space without needing access to outdoor electrical. These ones look very similar to the simple string lights we have, but they&#;re solar!
Adding Landscape LightingWhen we renovated our backyard, we had an electrician come out to run electrical through our garden beds to uplight our trees. It was nice to do it when everything was all torn up and easy to access. We now love the look of the uplighting in our backyard.
However, we never added any uplighting to the landscaping in our front yard flower beds. I didn&#;t want to pay big bucks to have an electrician come out again, so I looked into solar lights instead. I found these ground lights that you just press into the ground and you&#;re done. The reviews were so good that I bought a pack to try out.
Guys, this new addition is amazing! They take two seconds to set up (Just turn on the switch on the back, let them charge in the direct sunlight, and push into the ground.) and they work so well.
No wires, no batteries, just solar power! I placed them in our garden beds beneath our front bushes and it looks like professional uplighting when you&#;re standing on the street.
I know many people use these as pathway lights in their grass and that&#;s another good idea for these.
Solar Garden LightsI decided to use those same decorative lights in our front window box and in my flower pots.
I&#;ve always wanted spot lights on my front window box, especially when it&#;s all dressed up for the holidays, but again, I didn&#;t want to spend to have electrical run to this area or have a bunch of wires to deal with. I placed three solar disks in the window box and they add so much!
Since I had a few left over, I placed them in a few planters in the backyard and those also look amazing. I can&#;t reiterate how much lighting can transform a space and elevate the entire look.
When In Doubt, Choose Warm LightsSome of these products only come in one color temperature. However, if you ever have a choice between cool white and warm white, I urge you to choose the warm white option. I share more about color theory in this blog post, but in short, warm tones bring comfort, while cool lights can feel a bit sterile and harsh. Warm white is always a great option.
Tour Our Backyard At NightA few summers ago, I shared a look at our entire backyard at night. From my DIY tabletop fire bowl to our tiki torches, this blog post has lots of backyard lighting ideas and DIY projects to peruse.
Backyard Patio SourcesPatio Pergola // Outdoor Rug //Black Coffee Table // Fencing Info // String Lights // Pavers (color &#;Greyed Nickel&#;) // Lounge Chairs // Side Table // Sectional // Ferns
My Favorite Outdoor Solar Lighting From Lowe&#;sSolar Path Lights // Black Lanterns // Fence Lights // Fence Post Cap // Solar String Lights // Flood Light // Outdoor Path Light // White Solar Lantern
Qianyun Product Page
Lowe&#;s is my go-to when it comes to all things home. I trust the brands they sell and have always had a great experience with their products. With Memorial Day coming up, now is a good time to grab some deals on some of these outdoor products to spruce things up for the summer months ahead!
Turn on your JavaScript to view contentI hope you can take some of these solar lighting ideas and add them to your own space. You don&#;t have to have perfect landscaping or an immaculate flower garden to boost the curb appeal of your home. Lighting can instantly elevate the exterior of any house!
P.S. Since this post was published, we added an outdoor kitchen to our backyard! We have it all lit up at night and you&#;ve got to see how magical it is.
Casey
There&#;s never been a better time to switch to solar lights. With more enthusiasm behind &#;going green&#; and turning to alternative energy sources than ever before, the significant long-term cost savings that solar-lighting investments bring and the increasingly beautiful solar-lamp options that are now available, more consumers and businesses alike are ready to make the move.
Businesses, in particular, are turning to solar as a long-term investment, reliable energy source, environmentally friendly alternative and long-term cost-saving measure. Many office buildings, resorts, spas, country clubs, shopping centers and more are switching to efficient, attractive outdoor solar lighting to keep their buildings well-lit at night, while reducing their electricity bills and establishing go-green practices for their respective businesses.
Still, for those that are new to solar energy and outdoor solar lighting, making this switch can often seem intimidating at first. Many businesses and organizations considering switching to solar lights ask themselves questions like &#;How long does it take for solar lights to charge?&#; &#;Do solar lights need direct sunlight?&#; or &#;Can solar lights stay out in the winter?&#;
These are relevant questions, especially for people or businesses just starting out with solar lighting. The best way to address all these questions and concerns is to understand how solar lights work, how to charge them, how to preserve outdoor solar lamps and their batteries and, ultimately, how to get the best usage out of them.
There are, essentially, five main tips when it comes to successfully using, caring for and enjoying outdoor solar lighting.
#1 &#;
Carefully
Consider Placement
When investing in solar lights, it&#;s critical to first consider where best to place them (and any associated solar panels) to maximize the sunlight they&#;ll receive, thereby getting the best possible light output. Solar lights need sunlight to receive and convert energy, so it&#;s vital they are placed in a way to receive optimal sunshine throughout the day and away from shady or semi-shady areas. Optimally, solar lights will be positioned in an outdoor space where they are able to receive between six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day.
Keep solar lamps and panels far away from any bushes, trees, or outside décor that could potentially block sunlight or create shade over these fixtures at any point in the day. Any trees, walls or overhanging roofs that could add to shade hitting solar lights or panels, thus lowering their output, should be mitigated, as well.
Ideally, outdoor solar lamps solar lamps should be positioned in a way where the panels have a tilt angle of about 30 degrees in the summer and 45 degrees during winter months. Such outdoor solar lamps with built-in panel fixtures and any larger solar panels should always be facing south.
#2 &#; Properly Clean and Maintain Solar Lighting
It&#;s crucial that all solar lamps and any corresponding fixtures or parts are kept clean. As much as reasonably possible, dirt and debris should be kept off solar lamps and panels to ensure accumulation of dirt doesn&#;t block sunlight from getting through.
The best way to clean solar panels is with a dry cloth and warm, soapy water. For extremely stubborn debris or mud, a soft-bristled brush may be required.
Many lamps and fixtures can be cleaned in this manner, but it depends on the material of the solar lamps. If there are fixtures made of teak, the teak can be lightly sanded and a thin layer of teak oil used. Lamps made from aluminum, carbon steel or a weathered teak finish should receive no cleaning or maintenance to those materials, except for occasional dusting or removing debris.
If individuals or businesses with solar lighting live in an area where it snows, solar lights can certainly stay out in the winter and even in inclement weather. But any snow must be cleared, so it does not build up and block sunlight.
Ultimately, users should ask the company from which they&#;ve purchased their solar lighting for the best recommendations on how to properly clean it.
#3 &#; Keep Solar Lights Safe and Avoid Obstructions
When placing or mounting solar lights, it&#;s important to make sure they are safe, secure and not in the way of any obstructions. Outdoor solar lighting should not be placed in the direct route of pedestrians, lawnmowers or bicyclists, as well as anyone or anything else that could knock over or destroy solar lamps or associated fixtures.
Being proactive and thoughtful on placement and keeping lights out of walkways or work routes is key. By ensuring the path is safe and clear, users will protect their solar lamps and prevent unnecessary damage.
#4 &#; Know How to Charge and Care for the Batteries
When charging solar lights for the first time, they must be charged fully before they can truly be used. After this, the lamps usually require between 12 to 14 hours of direct sunlight to be completely charged and ready for use.
The best way to charge outdoor solar lighting is by leaving it in a sunny place for at least 48 hours, so batteries are thoroughly charged. This can be done before they&#;re officially mounted or placed in their final spot, just to ensure batteries are 100% charged before use.
Solar lighting batteries typically last from one to three years before they need replacement, although users that live in areas with long winters or extreme weather conditions may want to change batteries every year for maximum capacity and optimal usage.
Signs that batteries need replacement include:
&#; Lights that are lit for much shorter durations, despite receiving a lot of sunlight throughout the day
&#; Fainter illumination from solar lamps
&#; Solar lights that suddenly stop working altogether
It&#;s important to keep these factors in mind when it comes to properly caring for solar lamps and their batteries. Users should stay on top of how well lights are working, the status of their batteries and whether batteries require replacement.
#5 &#; If Storing Them, Do So Safely and Correctly
Solar lighting made for the outdoors can be left outside year-round, including in the winter. But in the colder months, some individuals or businesses may want to bring their solar lamps inside during extremely cold or inclement weather. When storing solar lights, it&#;s important to:
&#; Store them at room temperature, in a secure and dry location.
&#; Store the lights where they can still receive some sunlight or artificial light each day &#; this ensures the battery can still receive light, maintaining a charge during storage. It is very important not to store solar lights in a box or a dark room without a source of light that can reach the solar panel. Storing them in darkness will damage the batteries and keep them from being able to hold onto charge.
&#; For the best performance of solar lights, do not store them for prolonged periods.
Storing solar lights according to these best practices will keep them safe and protected, while still ensuring they receive enough light to continue working when the user is ready to put them outdoors and utilize them again.
Les Jardins for Efficient, Elevated Outdoor Solar LightinG
Les Jardins is devoted to developing beautiful, modern and sustainable sources of solar-powered light. For three decades, the company has been strengthening the relationship between humans and nature with outdoor and landscape solar lighting. The team at Les Jardins builds products wisely, combining top-tier design with technology to achieve more environmental friendliness, increased efficiency and a more elevated aesthetic.
Our products include everything from decorative outdoor lighting and solar lanterns, to table lights and contemporary landscape lighting &#; all crafted to tear down the boundaries between luxury and value, form and function, sustained and sustainable. Of course, all Les Jardins lighting is powered by the sun, eliminating the reliance on harmful fuels and contributing to the eradication of greenhouse gas emissions.
At Les Jardins, we know the world must be protected for future generations, and it&#;s our generation&#;s responsibility to act now. Every step in this right direction lowers the planet&#;s carbon footprint, and we hope and believe we will play a large part in paving the way for a brighter and more enlightened future.
Discover how Les Jardins can illuminate your space, bring you closer to nature and improve your overall outdoor living experience with cutting-edge, elegant and high-efficiency solar lighting. Join us in this work of reducing our carbon footprints, preserving the planet and reconnecting ourselves back to nature. Let&#;s make this new, more sustainable world a reality together.
To get started, please contact our dedicated team directly here or by calling 1-833-JARDINS.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Solar Light Systerm.