Providing ambient garden lighting with solar lighting is becoming increasingly popular because of the affordability of lighting units and zero running costs. Mains powered lighting normally incurs much higher installation costs than solar lighting. Solar lighting is a great solution for areas that don't have a local mains supply. During the past few years, advances in solar lighting have lead to better performance and reliability.

Using LED bulbs has simultaneously reduced the power required while increasing light levels. Until recently solar lights required hours of direct sunlight in order to function well. Modern solar lights are much more efficient at harvesting energy. This technology is set to continue improving and becoming even more efficient in the next few years.

There are many different types of solar lights. Wall lighting: Lantern Style. Lighting for post or hung style applications. A large variety of different fairy light designs. Deck lighting which is mounted flush with the timber surface. Security and spot lights. Some compact designs of solar lighting contain integrated solar panels. Other have a wired panel that can be positioned elsewhere to harness the suns rays.

The position and aspect to the sun will ultimately determine the ideal style of solar lights for your needs. Lights with solar panels built into them tend to be smaller because of the space limitations, which can sometimes cause issues because they then require more light for longer in order to function well. In less sunny locations, lights with external panels will allow you to position the solar panel in direct sunlight. For the best performance replace the factory fitted rechargeable batteries that come with your lights with a high quality replacement.

Replacing these manufacturer installed rechargeable batteries with high quality replacements will give your solar lighting the best performance possible. Solar lights are hugely affected by their location. Your solar lights should ideally be positioned so that they can receive direct sunlight during daylight hours. If your lights are shaded during the day, it will reduce the charge that they receive.

If you are looking for solar fairy lights take a look at the great range of tested and approved lights we stock.

Try to avoid positioning your solar lights where they will have shadows cast over them as that will reduce their performance. Product performance will improve as solar panel and battery technologies improve further. Each year sales of solar light products is continuing to climb. Our energy supply on earth is finite. Solar energy not only helps to reduce your energy consumption, but is environmentally friendly too.