How It Works: Solar Garden Lights

Mechanics

• Each solar light has a tiny power panel on top that collects solar energy and stores it for future use in an internal battery. Depending on the model, the battery may be nickel-metal-hydride or nickel cadmium. As daylight dwindles and darkness descends, a sensor in the solar light activates the battery, which turns on the solar LED (light-emitting diode).

Sun Exposure Prerequisites

• The more that solar garden lights are exposed to sun the better. If they receive full exposure for most of the day, the garden will be fully lit eight to 10 hours after nightfall. During winter months, when days are shorter, nighttime illumination from the lights may dwindle by half.

Placement

• Yards and gardens with heavy shade or areas that are generally overcast during much of the day are not recommended for solar lighting. Lack of direct sunlight will render the lights inoperable or significantly reduce their illuminating powers.