How to Maintain Your Solar Powered Outdoor Lights?

Solar-powered lights are the most cost-effective solution for outdoor lighting. Small solar panels are relatively cheap and inexpensive to buy. All you need to do is place them in a sunny spot for them to charge during daytime. Then when dusk comes, the rechargeable batteries power LED lights to illuminate your yard, home, or garden features.

Outdoor solar powered lighting is virtually maintenance-free. However, to get the best out of your solar lights, there are a few essential care tips you need to know. Wiping the solar panel allows it to charge the battery efficiently. This simple care advice is one of the most important ways to ensure your solar lights shine brightly year after year.

How to Maintain Your Solar Powered Outdoor Lights

Maybe you have solar hanging lanterns, solar LED string lights, or solar powered umbrella lights and want to know how to care for them properly. Or, you may be thinking about installing solar-powered outdoor lighting and want the best advice. Here are four must-know tips for maintaining solar-powered lights.

Clean the solar panels

This step is essential to solar light maintenance and will directly influence how well your outdoor lights function. Solar panels that have a layer of dust or other debris cannot fully charge the battery during sunlight hours. This is a problem for two reasons. The first issue is that your outdoor lights will not stay on as long after dark, because the battery will not have enough stored energy. The second problem is that this may shorten the life of your battery.

It is best to clean your solar outdoor lights with soapy water and a soft cloth. You may need a soft-bristled brush to remove stubborn debris. It is best to clean your solar panels early or late in the day to avoid cleaning them when the fixtures are hot.

Most homeowners can clean their solar panels about once per month for maximum function. If you live in a particularly dusty area, you may need to perform this task more often.

Check the batteries

If your batteries do not seem to be charging fully (Battery Failure characteristics: 1, the battery is not charging. 2, the battery can be charged and discharged a particularly short.) or your solar outdoor lights are not functioning properly, it may be due to failure on your batteries. You may need tools to open your fixtures and access the battery housing. Once you have exposed the batteries, try to replace them with a new same type rechargeable batteries.

Check for Damage (Wires, Panels, Connections)

After dismantling the solar light, inspect the wires, panels, and connections for any damage.

A frayed wire, cracked panel, or loose connection may require professional attention or a replacement part. Also, check the plastic components for any cracks so that you can replace them.

Reconsider the Location

Are your fixtures not working as effectively as you'd like? They may be in a bad location. Your solar lights need uninhibited access to the sun to work properly, and any small amount of shade can affect how much solar energy they collect. If you're worried your fixture is broken or malfunctioning, try changing the location before taking more drastic measures. A simple relocation can make all the difference!

Dirty solar panels impair the conversion of radiation into electricity by reducing the amount of usable cell space to harness the sun’s power. By cleaning the panels, fixtures, and batteries, you can extend the longevity of your system and improve the appearance of your backyard.