Installing solar lights could be a great idea if you are looking for an energy-saving option to light your home or garden at night. Since they are solar-powered, they can significantly reduce electric bills. However, doubts often arise regarding their utility and durability in unfavorable weather conditions like winter. Therefore, it is crucial to be certain about their performance before making any purchase decision. In this blog, we will discuss how to charge solar lights in winter and how to store them when not in use.

Do Solar Lights Work in Winter?

Yes, solar lights are efficient enough to work not only in winter but in cloudy rainy seasons as well.  Ensure that it receives ample sunlight and for this, installing the lights in the ideal location becomes important. Even on a cloudy summer day, when there is no presence of direct light, diffuse sunlight induces the energy. The same is the case with the winter season. Now, let’s see how to charge solar lights in winter in the next segment.

How to Charge Solar Lights in Winter

Below are the following steps to follow to charge your solar light in winter.

1. Clear Dust or Snow from Solar Panels Surface

Solar lights: How to Charge Solar Lights in Winter

During the winter, it is important to clean the solar panel and the lights using a cloth to allow them to get efficiently charged. The accumulated dust and snow prevent the sunlight from reaching the panel’s surface and reduce its efficiency in generating energy from the limited sunlight.

2. Place it at a Perfect Angle and Location

During winter, we get a limited amount of sunlight so repositioning the solar panel’s faces is a good idea. To charge solar lights in winter, ensure that the facing of the solar panels is towards the sun. You may also have to move them to a place receiving a good amount of sunlight. Try to avoid placing them under a tree or near a shadow.

3. Use Mirror to Charge

Using a mirror could be an effective way to indirectly charge your solar light by reflecting more sunlight towards your panel. It is suggested to use a mirror bigger than the solar light and position them at a proper angle to allow them to get the most out of the sunlight during winter. However, using a mirror would be a labor-intensive task as constant repositioning of the mirror is required throughout the day.

You can also check out our blog – Can Mirrors Boost Solar Panel Output?

4. Use Artificial Lighting

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There might be some situations when there is no sunlight at all. In that case, you can go for strong artificial lighting using a bulb or LED light of high wattage to charge your solar light. This is an alternative to direct sunlight as solar cells react to both kinds of light, running at equal spectrum and wavelength. The higher the wattage of the bulb the better result you will get. However, this method is rarely followed as it takes a longer time to charge as compared to sunlight and it also leads to high energy costs.

Cross-Reference: When And Where Might We Need Alternative Energy Sources For Our Solar Lights?

How to Store Solar Lights in Winter

You are already aware of how to charge solar lights in winter. Now, if you’re considering storing your solar lights during winter, there are some steps you need to follow to ensure your solar lights don’t get damaged.

1. Ensure that the Switch is Off

Make sure you don’t leave the switch on as this will lead to battery drain and it may also damage your light. This will gradually result in lesser longevity of your solar light. To prevent this, ensure that the switch is off. However, not every solar light comes with an on and off switch, but be careful if your lights have one.

2. Keep it Clean

You should always clean your devices with a damp cloth. Cleaning the solar panel of the light is essential for the solar lights to work effectively and last long, especially during winter.

For better understanding, go through our blog – Simple Effective Cleaning Hack: Cleaning Solar Lights With Toothpaste.

3. Remove Rechargeable Batteries

Keeping the rechargeable batteries inside the solar light is the biggest mistake that you should avoid while storing solar lights in winter. Leaving the battery inside the panel could be harmful to your device as it increases the risk of damage and reduces its durability.

4. Wrap Solar Light

The solar panel is the most important component of the solar light and it is as delicate as lamp glass heads. So, keeping them safe by handling them carefully becomes essential for your lights to work. Therefore, it is suggested to warp them carefully with bubble wrap or packing paper to store and keep them protected from damage.

5. Store All Parts of Solar Light in a Box

Once you are done with the wrapping, keep all the parts of the device together in a cardboard or plastic box. This will keep your solar light more safe during winter.

6. Keep Device in Dry Place

Finally, putting your solar light in a box, try to store it in a dry place as they are made from materials like aluminum and metal, which are prone to rust and corrosion. Therefore, keeping your solar in a dry place is strongly suggested.

Also Read: How to Recharge Solar Light Batteries: 13 Easy Techniques

Can I Leave my Solar Lights Out in Winter?

Solar lights 2: how to store solar lights in winter

Yes, you can leave your solar lights out in winter if they are rated as outdoor lights as these types are optimized for outside use. So, you need to ensure that the light in which you are investing is rated for outdoor purposes which influences the performance of the solar light outside in winter.

How to Protect Solar Lights in Winter

Here are some of the steps you can follow and easily protect your solar lights.

  • Keep your solar lights clean.
  • It is essential to avoid snow, dirt, and debris harming your solar panels. Accumulation of snow and debris on your solar panels can result in low efficiency.
  • Store them in a dry place to protect your lights for longer durability.
  • Try to change the rechargeable battery once every two years to ensure its maximum power. If you reside in a place with extreme weather conditions, it is suggested to change the battery once a year.

Also See: How to Protect Solar Lights from Rain

How Long do Solar Lights last in Winter?

How to Charge Solar Lights in Winter 2

Solar lights can last for a long duration in winter if you invest in the right one. The longevity of a solar light depends on multiple factors. Let’s discuss the factors in brief.

1. Quality of the Device

Quality is one of the important aspects to determine its durability during winter. Cheaper quality lights tend to be less durable as compared to higher quality lights. As they are a bit expensive, they also come with a higher quality panel, light, and battery, ensuring longer durability.

2. Choosing the Perfect Type

Considering the type and purpose of the light is important to make sure it effectively works and lasts long. There are different types of solar lights like garden lights, security lights, and decorative lights that serve varied purposes. It is always necessary to evaluate the type and number of lights required and invest according to your needs. Any light rated for outdoor use can be kept outside not only in winter but all year round.

3. Location

One of the most significant factors for determining the longevity of solar lights in winter is the location. It is important to position the solar light in an open area without any shade. Placing the solar light under or near a shade would reduce the charging capacity of the panel.

Also Read: How to Charge a Solar Powered Calculator

In light of the above discussion, we can conclude that solar lights can effectively operate in winter with proper care. To achieve efficient charging, you should clean panels, optimize positioning, and use high-wattage artificial light when needed. It’s also important to ensure that the light you choose is rated for outdoor use, as this impacts its performance in cold weather. For more solar content, keep reading our blogs.

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Olivia is committed to green energy and works to help ensure our planet's long-term habitability. She takes part in environmental conservation by recycling and avoiding single-use plastic.

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