FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Solar Lights

How does solar light work?

Solar cells embedded on the solar panel turn negatively-charged electrons to positively-charged ones as sunlight passes through these cells during the daytime. This process creates electricity which goes to the battery via cables and the battery stores this electricity. As it gets dark, the photoreceptor notices and turns the light on.  

Does a solar light work on a cloudy or rainy day?

Yes. As long as a solar panel receives the daylight, it can make electricity. Since the sunlight gets weaker in cloudy and rainy weather, the solar panel may not work as efficiently as it does on sunny days. However, it still makes enough electricity for the light to operate at night. 

Note: The quality of the solar panel has a direct impact on this function. Obviously, Poor quality panels with lower efficiency won’t make enough electricity for the lights in cloudy and rainy days. 

How long does it take for a solar light battery to charge?

It takes 4 to 12 hours, depending on a few factors. The sunlight intensity is the major factor for the battery to get charged. The capacity of the battery and the quality of the solar panel count as the second and third factors influence charging of solar lights. In case a solar light is permanently under the sunlight, the battery does not stop getting charged. However, in most recent designs with the newest technologies, there are parts added to the light to make the battery stops charging when it is fully charged. This is pretty important for the battery life-long. 

 How long do solar lights last?

While it varies depending on the quality of the light and how it is maintained, LED lights are to provide 50,000 to 200,000 hours of lighting within a maximum of 30 years. Solar panels have an average of 15 years life-long. About the batteries, we would say 3 to 7 years, depending on the type and the quality of the battery. Lithium LifeP04 Batteries used in our commercial-grade solar lights have the longest possible life long and lighting time per night. 

Do solar lights need bright sunlight for charging or daylight is enough?

Daylight is enough to charge the lights. In cloudy and, in rainy days charging may take longer though because of the lower intensity of the sunlight.

 Are solar lights safe for children or pets?

As there is no electrical cable or part included in solar lights, they are completely safe for all users; humans, animals and plants. 

 Are solar lights waterproof?

Some of them are water-resistant, and some are waterproof. Water-resistant means they persist penetration of water to some degree but not if they immersed in water. For example, they persist penetration of water in the rain or if they exposed to direct pressure jets. Waterproof means they persist penetration of water if they immerse under a specific depth of water for a limited time or unlimited. 

To check if a solar light has an appropriate level of water resistance, check its IP (Ingress Protection) rating. Many solar lights have IP65 which means they are water-resistant and suitable for outdoor use. IP68 is known as waterproof and suitable for immersion in water. 

What is the difference between lumens and watts?

Watt refers to the volume of electricity is used but, lumen refers to the level of brightness. For instance, a lamp that produces 100 lumens with the use of 50 watts is more efficient than a lamp that produces the same 100 lumens with 90 watts. 

Do solar lights detecting motion, and if yes, how it works?

There are two categories of solar lights; one category equipped with a motion detector and one not. Some of the garden lights, security lights, floodlights, and street lights are motion sensor.

Based on your purpose and the application of solar light, you need to identify if you would like to buy a solar light with motion sensor option or without this option.  In some cases, you have the option to activate or deactivate the motion detection function on solar light.

If activated, the light stays on a dim light until it senses motion. Once motion is detected, the dim light turns to a fully bright one. In some lights, you may set the light turns off completely until it detects motion. 

How to install a solar light?

It varies depending on the model of solar light. Please see the product pages for the guidance on the installation. 

How they get maintained? 

Generally, solar lights are very low maintenance. For the majority of solar lights, the only maintenance recommended is to keep their solar panel clean and remove dust from time to time.

How long does a solar light works per night?

Depends on the quality of their batteries, their brightness level they can work from 2 to 12 hours per night, or dusk to dawn. The higher the capacity and the quality of the battery, the longer it is going to work per night. Cheaper lights with low capacity batteries will work 2 to 3 hours per night. A new generation of solar lights with Lithium-ion batteries generally works longer hours, min of 5 hours per night. Note that solar lights with motion detection function tend to work longer hours. Most of them are dusk to dawn. 

What is the difference between cool and warm white?

According to the Kelvin scale, there are three different whites: Normal white, cool white, which tends to have some blue in it like the neon lights; and warm white, that is somehow yellowish like the traditional halogen or incandescent lights.   

Is it possible to turn off solar lights? 

Most of the solar lights have a power button which allows users to turn on and off the light. To make solar lights off when possible is essential to keep the battery life-long higher. However, some models are auto turn on/off, dusk to dawn. It means they turn on automatically as it gets dark in the evening, and go off with the sunlight detected. The newest designs offer both options meaning that the user may decide to either put the solar light on the auto mode or manually turn then on and off. 

 

At SunShare Solar, our solar lights are built to last in the Aussie outdoors! They’re waterproof, manufactured using long-lasting Aluminum alloy or stainless steel casings, and they feature the latest in lumen quality and solar battery and LED technology.

Contact SunShare Solar Now For Quality Natural Lighting Solutions!