Solar powered outdoor lights come in many different styles, and they can be used to light a walkway, brighten a deck, or beautifully illuminate a garden at night. Here’s a brief overview of today’s technology. 

Why go solar? Solar-powered lights can save money on your electrical bill, they’re easy to maintain, their carbon footprint is minimal, and they’ll stay bright during a power outage.

How bright are they? Solar power has come a long way due to recent advances in technology, and today’s solar lights shine 6 to 12 times brighter than the original models. In other words, you won’t have any trouble finding bulbs that fit your lighting needs.

How much sun do they need? Solar cells absorb the sun’s energy, storing it in rechargeable batteries for nighttime use. Eight hours of sunlight allows most solar lights to last throughout the night, but the charge will vary depending on cloud cover. If your lights are located in a shaded area with no direct sunlight, you can purchase remote solar panels, place them in a sunny area, and run a wire to the lights to power up the batteries.