For any outdoor space, adding solar string lights will add an elegant, eco-friendly touch. Solar lights are now available is as many styles and from as many outlets as electric models. As the price of solar panels has fallen, so too has the cost of outdoor string lights. They are now offered at a cost comparable to electric lights, and their ease of use saves time in installation. Solar lights will reduce the number of unsightly extension cords that can mar the beauty of a display, can be used in remote locations where power is unavailable and will eliminate the added utility expense that accompanies outdoor lights.
For gazebos and other outbuildings with no power source, consider using a solar string light set as the sole light source. Line the roof with lights to provide enough illumination for nighttime use. Sets are equipped to turn on automatically at dusk and off at dawn, so there is no need to fumble in the dark for switches or install path lights that can be turned on from the house to guide the way. Lights can be purchased in any color or shape, and may be left outside year round.
Consider using patio string lights for your next barbeque or outdoor party. Even if hung only the morning before their use, they will collect enough solar energy to power them throughout the night. In addition to the traditional long set of lights with small bulbs, strings of large blown glass bulbs can be purchased in colors complimenting your home or party decorations. Kits come with hanging hooks for easy installation and removal and they provide a unique way to add character to a patio or other outdoor space.
Solar string Christmas lights are perfect for those who favor elaborate holiday displays or even those who spend Christmas out of town. Christmas lights use a significant amount of electricity, and utility bills climb during the holiday season. Even with the few hours of partial sunlight common to most areas in the winter months, solar powered string lights will remain lit all night. They are the ideal option for lining roofs and other hard to reach areas as no additional wiring is required. Outlets will no longer be overtaken with too many chords. Their natural timing devices will save time and money on installing timers for the lights, and your festive display will shine even if you are out of town.
When choosing a set of lights, think about where the lights will be installed. Many solar string lights feature connected solar panels that may be hung a few feet from the lights themselves. This ensures that even those installed in a covered area will receive enough sun exposure to charge their batteries and remain lit for hours at a time. LED lights are some of the most efficient energy users, and work well in areas with limited sunlight. Whether you are interested in saving time or money, or if sustainable decorating is important to you, consider making the switch to solar string lights.