Solar fairy lights have become increasingly popular in recent years as a decorative lighting option that doesn’t require wiring or electricity. But are they actually any good? Here we’ll take an in-depth look at solar fairy lights, including how they work, their pros and cons, and whether they’re worth buying.
Page Contents
- 1 How do solar fairy lights work?
- 2 Pros of solar fairy lights
- 3 Cons of solar fairy lights
- 4 Types of solar fairy lights
- 5 Factors to consider when buying solar fairy lights
- 6 How bright are solar fairy lights?
- 7 How long do solar fairy lights last?
- 8 Do solar fairy lights really work all night?
- 9 Conclusion
How do solar fairy lights work?
Solar fairy lights consist of small LED bulbs connected by coated copper wire. They are powered by built-in solar panels that absorb sunlight during the day. The solar panels charge an internal battery, which then powers the lights at night. Here’s a quick overview of how the main components work:
- Solar panel – Made up of photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity to charge the battery.
- Battery – Stores the electricity from the solar panel. Lithium-ion and NiMH batteries are commonly used.
- LED lights – Energy efficient LED bulbs that provide the decorative lighting effect. They consume very little electricity from the battery.
- Controller – Regulates the charging and discharging of the battery to ensure optimal performance.
This all happens automatically – the solar cells charge up the battery when exposed to light, which then illuminates the LEDs after the sun goes down. No wiring or power outlets required.
Pros of solar fairy lights
There are a number of benefits that make solar fairy lights an appealing choice:
- No wiring required – Solar lights don’t need to be installed near an electrical outlet. This makes them very versatile for placing anywhere outdoors.
- Portable – Since no wiring is required, solar lights are extremely portable and can be placed anywhere. Easily move them around your garden or take them camping.
- Affordable – No wiring and electrician installation means solar lights are a very affordable decoration option.
- Renewable energy – Solar lights are powered by renewable solar energy, so they are a green, eco-friendly choice.
- Automatic operation – Solar lights will automatically turn on at night and off during the day with no maintenance required.
- Safety lighting – Solar fairy lights can provide ambient lighting for paths, driveways and gardens at night.
- Decorative – Solar fairy lights create a magical, decorative effect for gardens, patios and outdoor spaces.
Cons of solar fairy lights
However, solar fairy lights do come with some downsides:
- Weather dependent – Solar lights rely on sunlight to charge. So cloudy or rainy weather can result in dim or non-working lights.
- Limited brightness – While bright enough for accent lighting, solar lights don’t provide as much illumination as wired lighting.
- Nighttime only – Solar lights only operate at night and won’t turn on during daytime cloudy conditions.
- Requires direct sunlight – For optimal charging, the solar panel needs to be positioned in direct sunlight, without shade or obstruction.
- Limited battery life – The batteries in solar lights will degrade over time. Average lifespan is 2-3 years before needing replacement.
- Damage prone – The components are vulnerable to damage from weather, corrosion and physical impact.
Types of solar fairy lights
Solar fairy lights come in many different styles to suit different decorative needs. Here are some of the most common types:
Mini fairy lights
Mini or micro fairy lights have very small bulbs spaced close together along the wire. They create a dotting lighting effect and work well for accenting gardens, wrapping columns and poles, and decorating mini trees.
Globe fairy lights
Globe lights feature small round plastic globes that diffuse and soften the light. They are great for creating ambiance and work well in gardens and wedding decor.
Firefly lights
Designed to mimic dancing fireflies, these lights have a flickering or chasing lighting effect. They add playfulness and whimsy when wrapped around trees and bushes.
Dragonfly lights
Dragonfly lights have large, realistic dragonfly shaped silhouettes over each bulb. The dragonfly accent helps them stand out when strung in trees and landscaping.
Droplet lights
Droplet solar lights feature teardrop or water drop shaped lenses over each bulb for visual interest. They look great bordering patios, walkways and flower beds.
Rope lights
Flexible solar powered rope lights can be wrapped around railings, gazebos, decks and other structures. They provide ambient lighting and outline the shapes they’re wrapped around.
Spotlights
Small, compact solar spotlights are designed to providing directed accent lighting. They work well for highlighting plants or illuminating dark corners in your outdoor space.
Factors to consider when buying solar fairy lights
Here are some key factors to take into account when choosing solar fairy lights:
Solar panel size
The solar panel size affects charging performance. Look for a panel size of at least 4 inches by 4 inches for adequate power.
LED bulb quantity
More LED bulbs will produce more light, but reduce battery run time. Choose the amount of bulbs based on your lighting needs.
Light modes
Many solar string lights offer different lighting modes like flashing, fading, chasing and more. Decide if you want just steady or multiple effects.
Durability
Ensure the lights have durable waterproof casings and connectors. Silicone coating and toughened glass help maximize weather resistance.
Battery performance
Higher capacity lithium-ion batteries will store more power to run lights longer into the night. NiMH batteries are more affordable but don’t last as long per charge.
Quality
As with any product, going for better known brand names with good reviews rather than the cheapest options will provide better performance and longevity.
How bright are solar fairy lights?
The brightness of solar fairy lights is determined by the number and lumens of the LED bulbs used.
Most solar fairy light strands use 5mm or smaller LED bulbs which typically have lumen outputs between 10-20 lumens each. For reference, a standard 60W incandescent light bulb produces around 800 lumens.
So a solar string light with 50 bulbs at 10 lumens each would produce around 500 lumens total. This is enough for accent and decorative lighting, but not enough for security floodlighting.
Here is a table comparing some typical solar fairy light specs and their estimated total brightness:
| Solar Lights | Number of LEDs | Lumens per LED | Total Estimated Lumens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini fairy lights | 100 | 10 | 1,000 |
| Globe fairy lights | 50 | 15 | 750 |
| Dragonfly lights | 24 | 20 | 480 |
As you can see, while bright enough for accent lighting, solar fairy lights don’t come close to the 1,000+ lumens of a high power security floodlight.
How long do solar fairy lights last?
The lifespan of solar fairy lights depends on the quality of the components and how they are used. Here are the typical lifespans for each component:
- LED bulbs – Typically last 8-10 years with gradual brightness reduction over time.
- Solar panel – Lasts 6-8 years on average before efficiency drops off.
- Battery – Usually need replacing every 2-3 years depending on type.
- Plastic housing – Can last many years if protected from sun damage.
Properly maintained and protected from damage, a high quality set of solar fairy lights can realistically last 4-6 years before needing any major replacements. Choosing reputable brand name lights and replacing components as needed can extend the lifespan considerably.
Do solar fairy lights really work all night?
How long solar fairy lights stay illuminated each night depends on:
- Amount of sun exposure the solar panel gets
- Capacity and efficiency of the battery
- Number of LED bulbs drawing power
Typically, solar fairy lights will operate for 6-12 hours on a full battery charge. So lights with larger solar panels and batteries will stay on longer into the night.
Here are some battery run time examples:
| Solar Lights | Battery mAh | Run Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mini fairy lights | 400 mAh | 6-8 hours |
| Globe fairy lights | 600 mAh | 8-10 hours |
| Dragonfly lights | 1000 mAh | 10-12 hours |
The key is ensuring the solar panels get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight to fully charge the batteries. With a large battery and full sun exposure, good quality solar fairy lights can stay illuminated all night.
Conclusion
Solar fairy lights can be an excellent decorative lighting choice for gardens, patios and outdoor areas when chosen carefully. The key advantages are no wiring required, renewable solar power, and beautiful lighting effects. Just be aware of battery life, position them optimally for sun exposure, and don’t expect too much brightness. With realistic expectations, solar fairy lights can create magical ambiance to any outdoor space.
References
- https://www.batterystuff.com/kb/articles/battery-articles/lifespan-and-how-to-improve-it.html
- https://www.ledlightinginfo.com/comparing-led-lumens-to-incandescent-watts
- https://www.climatesolar.co.uk/advice/how-long-do-solar-lights-last