There are few lights that are easier to install than solar lights. Without the need for a central power source, you have a lot of flexibility as well as the opportunity to try your lights in different places and reposition them until you find your favourite spot. To help you find the perfect location and make your solar light installation even easier, we’ve put together some top tips and things to consider.
Installing solar lights
The type of solar light you’re installing will impact what you need and how to install it. We’ve summarised some of the most common lights types below.
| Type | Ease of installation | Installation tips |
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| Solar spike lights | Easiest | When we say these are the easiest, we really mean it. Simply take out of their packaging and put them (spike first!) into the ground. If the ground is very hard, water it a few hours before to soften the soil and make sure you get a good hold for your light. |
| Solar festoon or fairy lights | Easy | Unwind the lights and drape or wrap them across your desired space. We recommend doing this loosely and quickly first to test the positioning and then firming it up once you've surveyed your handy work! Tree branches, fences, deck rails all work very well from an aesthetic perspective. Use clips, hooks, or ties to secure the lights in place as needed and always make sure that the charging panel is in an area of sunlight. |
| Solar tree lights & hanging lights | Easy to medium | If you're planning to hang your lights over branches, on a fence or on a veranda, you can should simply be able to attach your light without the need for any additional tools. We would recommend securing the light if possible, just in case the wind picks up and to prevent them from moving around too much. Adding new fixtures:If your space lacks existing places to hang the lights from, you may need to install hooks, nails, or other fixtures. Check what's included with your light and/or what is compatible before making any decisions on the placement of your light. With a more permanent fixture, ensuring the solar panel will get ample sun is key. |
| Wall lights | Medium | Installing solar wall lights is easier than lights requiring a power source with no need to run cables through or down the walls. However, you will still need a few tools and some DIY know how to do this safely and ensure that your light is secure. The process is similar to that of a standard wall light, you’ll require a drill, a pencil or marker and, ideally, a spirit level to make sure everything is straight. Hanging wall lights is best completed ass a two person job. |
| Inbuilt solar lights e.g. step or deck lights |
Hard | We'd recommend getting a professional in for any integrated solar lights unless you’re a seasoned DIY expert. This will ensure a polished look and finish, and a good sparky will also be able to advise on the best positioning. |
The type of solar light you’re installing will impact what you need and how to install it. We’ve summarised some of the most common lights types below.
Where should I put my solar lights?
To get you started on finding the right spot for your new light, here are our top things to consider when positioning your solar lights.
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Plenty of light
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This is perhaps the most obvious point but it is the most important - ensure that your solar light has plenty of, ideally direct, sunlight
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Integrated Panel: If your solar lights have an integrated panel (built into the light itself), make sure the entire fixture is positioned in a spot with direct sunlight.
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Separate Panel: If your solar lights have a separate panel, you have more flexibility. You can place the lights in a shaded or less sunny area as long as the panel itself has plenty of light.
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A spot where sun can be available all day is best to cover all weather eventualities
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If you want to put your lights in an area with limited natural sunlight e.g. a terrace with a veranda used for evening drinks, ensure that you have lights that are easy to move so that you can charge them in an area of high sun, then move to their desired lighting spot
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Avoid potential “damage zones”
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While quality solar lights are robust, reducing their risk of external damage is highly recommended to make them last longer. Steer clear of areas where your light might be hit by falling debris (under large, old trees) or damaged by animals.
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Height and angle for your light can be advantageous
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A few extra inches here and there can mean an hour extra of sunshine for charging
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Tilting your light or panel towards the sun is a great way to get some extra rays too
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Purpose of the light
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This point is not specific to solar but is critical when choosing a spot for your light. If you’re installing lighting for ambience, you can be more flexible about where you put it. However, if you’re using your solar lights for security or task lighting, it's essential that are positioned effectively - this means ensuring that they get plenty of charge but are also lighting the right areas at the right times.
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The placement of sensors should also be considered to ensure the lights are triggered at the right times and not being set off needlessly
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Seasonal changes
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As the sun exposure of an area will change throughout the year, consider whether you want your lights to stay in the same place year around, or if you will move it by the seasons (you may even wish to bring them in for the winter if you know you won't be using the area they light)
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Most solar lighting gives you the flexibility to move them but if you’re opting for a larger or fitted light that can’t easily be moved, ensure that it has sun year around
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Other tips for a seamless installation
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Test your position and get a second opinion
There’s nothing worse than hanging you beautiful new light then realising it’s in the wrong place. Thankfully solar lights are usually more flexible but, if you need to hanging brackets or fittings, it’s best to get it right first time. A family member or friend will be able to sense check you work for you. Believe us, it’s worth the effort! -
Choose quality solar lights While installation is easy, in general, if you purchase poor quality solar lights you’ll likely need to repeat the process quite quickly. There is a significant difference between quality solar lighting and “cheap and cheerful” options. If you’re investing in green lighting, make sure you chose the right lights to ensure that they last
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Check the manual before installing If your light can be programmed, and you wish to programme it, we highly recommend reading the manual before installing it. Once a light is up in its new home it can be hard to reach all of the buttons and switches and make the process of setting the light up a whole lot slower
At The Lighting Outlet, we love solar lighting. We only stock trusted suppliers who are each leaders in their industry and we have thousands of happy customers who have switched to solar for their outdoor spaces and won’t be switching back anytime soon! For any questions or advice, our customer services and design team are on hand to help.
