Solar Deck Lights: Most Comprehensive Buying Guide

If you need some illumination in the space around your patio, solar deck lights are the way to go. Solar deck lights are the finest option for reducing your carbon footprint and maximising the beauty of your ambiance.

It comes with rechargeable batteries, which are charged by solar panels during the day, to power the LED lights at night. They require little in the way of upkeep, other than the occasional battery swap to keep on ticking.

In this article, we'll highlight a comprehensive buying guide for Solar Deck Lights, along with their benefits and installation.

What is a Solar Deck Light?

A solar powered deck light is a type of outdoor lighting fixture that is powered by solar energy. It consists of a solar panel that captures sunlight during the day and converts it into electricity, which is stored in a battery.

The light is then activated at night, using the stored energy from the battery. Solar deck lights are available in a range of sizes, styles, and colours, and can be used to provide ambient lighting, safety lighting, or both.

How do Solar Deck Lights work?

Solar powered deck lights work by capturing sunlight during the day and converting it into electricity using a solar panel. The solar panel is typically located on the top of the light fixture, and it consists of photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity.

The electricity is then stored in a battery located inside the light fixture. At night, when the high quality light sensor detects that it is dark, the light will turn on using the stored electricity from the battery.

Some solar deck lights also have a built-in timer or a photocell that allows you to set the light to turn on and off at specific times.

Types of Solar Deck Lights

There are several types of solar deck lights available, each with its own set of features and benefits:

Post cap lights: These post string lights are designed to fit on the top of solar post caps, and they provide ambient lighting along the patio railings. They are a good choice for decks with a lot of railings.

Rail lights: These white lights are designed to fit along the deck rails, and they provide both ambient and safety lighting. They are a good choice for decks with a lot of steps or for illuminating a specific area of the deck.

Path lights: These step lights are designed to be placed along pathways or in landscaped areas, and they provide ambient lighting. They are a good choice for illuminating pathways or garden areas.

String lights: These solar lightings are designed to be strung along the railings or in trees, and they provide ambient lighting. They are a good choice for creating a festive atmosphere on the deck.

What are the benefits of using Solar Deck Lights?

The solar-powered lights will have many uses. The first and primary benefit is that they can be set up in minutes with no special tools or wiring. This thereby guarantees adequate lighting without using any electricity and resulting in no electricity bill.

Eco-friendly

Solar deck posts are an environmentally friendly lighting solution, as they do not rely on electricity from the grid and do not produce any greenhouse gas emissions.

They are powered by solar energy, which is a clean, renewable, and abundant energy source. Solar lighting does not produce any air pollution or contribute to climate change, and it can be used to power a wide range of devices and appliances.

Cost-effective

Solar deck LEDs can be a cost-effective lighting solution, as they do not require any ongoing electricity costs. The initial cost of purchasing and installing solar deck lights may be higher than traditional lighting, but they can save you money in the long run.

Longer lifespan

Solar-powered deck lights can have a longer lifespan than traditional lighting fixtures, as they do not have any moving parts and do not require any electrical wiring or connection to the grid.

They are also made from durable materials such as stainless steel or aluminum, and they are designed to withstand the elements.

Wireless and Safety

Solar deck wall lights are a wireless and safe lighting solution for outdoor spaces. They do not require any electrical wiring or connection to the grid, so there are no cords or cables to trip over or potentially cause accidents. They are powered by solar energy, which is a clean, renewable, and abundant energy source.

Are there any downsides to using Solar Deck Lights?

There are a few potential downsides to using solar deck lights:

The initial cost of purchasing and installing solar deck wall lights may be higher than traditional solar deck lighting fixtures. However, solar deck lights can save you money in the long run, as they do not require any ongoing electricity costs.

Solar deck lights rely on sunlight to charge their batteries and power the lights at night. In areas with limited sunlight, solar deck lights may not perform as well.

The battery life of solar post cap lights is limited, as they rely on stored solar energy. In areas with limited sunlight, the battery may not hold a charge for as long.

How much does a Solar Deck Light cost?

The cost of outdoor lights can vary depending on the size, style, and features of the lights. On average, you can expect to pay between $10 and $100 for a single solar deck light.

Basic solar deck lights with minimal features and a simple design may have energy costs of around $10 to $30. Mid-range solar deck lights with high-quality features such as dimming or timer functions may cost between $30 and $50.

High-end solar deck lights with advanced features such as remote control or color temperature changing capabilities may cost upwards of $50 to $100.

How to choose the best Solar Deck Light for your needs?

Before making the purchase of solar-powered deck lights, a person ought to be aware of what considerations should be made and how to pick the finest option.

The following is a rundown of the most important considerations you need to make when shopping for deck lights so that you can get the model that is an ideal fit for your needs.

Solar deck lights are a fantastic way to add a soft glow to your outdoor space while enhancing its decor. When selecting solar deck lights, it's essential to consider the durability of the product, especially if you live in an area with heavy rain.

Classy Caps and Aurora Deck Lighting are two brands that offer great products with long time durability. They come in different colors and designs, including lantern-style and casing-style lights. These solar lights are easy to install, as they don't require drilling and can be attached to the deck rail or walkway.

Hampton Bay is another brand that offers solar deck lights with excellent customer service. These lights can provide a soft glow on a cloudy day, and their accessories can enhance the ambiance of your outdoor space.

With solar deck lights, you can create a beautiful and functional outdoor space that you can enjoy for years to come.

Light Brightness and Coverage

The brightness and coverage of solar deck string lights can vary depending on the size and type of the lights, as well as the size and capacity of the solar panel and battery. Basic solar deck lights may provide less brightness and coverage than high-end lights, as they have smaller solar panels and batteries.

Dusk to Dawn vs. Motion Detection

Dusk to dawn solar deck lights are activated by a light sensor that turns the light on at night and off during the day. This type of solar deck light is a good choice if you want to provide consistent solar deck lighting modes throughout the night, as it will turn on automatically and stay on until the morning.

Motion detection solar deck lights are activated by a motion sensor that turns the light on when it detects movement. This type of solar deck light output is a good choice if you want to provide solar deck lighting only when needed, as it will turn on when it detects movement and turn off when it no longer detects movement.

Battery Type and Capacity

The most common type of battery used in solar lights is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion batteries are lightweight, compact, and have a long lifespan, making them a good choice for solar deck lights.

The capacity of the battery is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), and it determines how much electricity the battery can store. A higher mAh rating typically indicates a larger capacity battery that can hold more electricity and power the light for a longer period of time.

Charging and Run Time

The amount of sunlight the light receives will affect how long it takes to charge the battery and how long the light can run on a single charge. In general, the more sunlight the light receives, the faster the battery will charge and the longer the light will run.

The size and capacity of the solar panel and battery also affect the charging and run time of the light. A larger solar panel and a larger battery with a higher mAh rating may be able to charge the battery faster and provide a longer run time.

Bulb Types

Solar post lights typically use LED bulbs, as they are energy-efficient and have a long lifespan. LED bulbs are made of semiconductor material that emits light when an electric current is applied to it. They are more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs, as they use less electricity and produce less heat.

Ingress Protection Rating

The ingress protection (IP) rating of solar string lights indicates the level of protection it has against dust and water. The IP rating is made up of two numbers: the first number indicates the level of protection against solid particles, and the second number indicates the level of protection against water.

Solar Deck Lights installation

Installing solar deck lights is generally a straightforward process, as they do not require any electrical wiring or connection to the grid.

• Choose a location for the light that receives direct sunlight during the day. This will ensure that the solar panel can charge the battery effectively.
• Mark the location for the light and drill holes for the mounting hardware, if necessary.
• Attach the mounting hardware to the light and the deck according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Place the light in the mounting hardware and adjust the angle of the solar panel to face the sun.
• Turn the light on and adjust the settings, if necessary.

How to care for your Solar Deck Lights?

It is important to allow the battery to charge fully before using the ultra bright light for the first time and after long periods of inactivity. To charge the battery fully, expose the solar panel to direct sunlight for several days. The battery may need to be replaced if it becomes damaged or fails to hold a charge.

Bottom Line

Have you given any thought to purchasing some deck light fixtures for your home that might be used to illuminate your deck, porch, fence, driveway, steps, and other areas? If yes, then this article was surely for you.

They have little impact on the environment, are simple to set up and demand nothing in the way of upkeep. This guide must have helped you gain a better understanding of the solar deck light and the things to consider next time you want to purchase it.

For more information and such articles, visit our website, ArkaEnergy.

Frequently Ask Questions

How often should I check to see if my Solar Deck Light system is working properly?

If you are using the lights on a daily basis, you may want to check them weekly or monthly to ensure they are working properly. If you are using the lights less frequently, you may want to check them every few months or as needed.

If you notice that the lights are not turning on or are not performing as well as they should, there may be an issue with the battery, the solar panel, or the light itself.

What are some of the best brands of Solar Deck Lights available on the market today?

There are several reputable brands that offer high-quality solar deck lights on the market today. Some of the best brands include Brightech, Kootek, Greluna, Aootek.

Is it safe to leave my Solar Deck Light on all night long?

It is generally safe to leave your solar light on all night long, as long as it is functioning properly and has a fully charged battery. Solar deck lights are designed to turn on automatically at night and turn off during the day, and they are powered by solar energy, so they do not consume any electricity when they are on.

Do Solar Deck Lights need to be installed in direct sunlight to work properly?

Solar deck lights need to be exposed to direct sunlight during the day to charge their batteries and power the lights at night. The solar panel of the light converts sunlight into electricity, which is stored in the battery. When the light is turned on at night, the battery powers the light using the stored electricity.