The need for sunlight cannot be emphasized enough when it comes to solar-powered lights.  All in one Solar street lights need direct sunlight during the day in order to deliver their best at night.  Therefore, it is always recommended to install the street lighting in a shadow-free area so that the panels can absorb maximum sunlight.  How about cloudy and rainy days?  How to charge the lights without sunlight.

A cloudy or rainy day certainly affects your solar light’s charging ability and there will be a drop in the duration of illumination during such overcast conditions.  However, clouds do not completely block sunlight and solar panels are capable of absorbing any amount of solar radiation that is available.  This helps the solar lights to continue to light up even during rainy days though at a lower voltage.

If you ask this question to a solar light manufacturer or dealer, most of them will say that solar lights work from dusk to dawn, typically averaging 8 hours. However, there are several factors involved to get your solar lights to stay on long at night.  Solar lights are independent outdoor lighting units that are designed to last and are usually installed to illuminate a commercial or residential area or to decorate a garden to enhance the ambiance.  A solar garden light adds brightness to a walkway or driveway and solar street light suit several other applications.

Solar lights operate with the help of solar energy and will remain shining based on the energy they have stored during the day.  A standard solar-powered lighting unit that receives direct sunlight throughout the day will be fully charged by the end of the day.  Nevertheless, many solar users have complained that their lights have not been working all night long.  How much energy gets stored depends on the type of solar panel and battery used and how long a solar light stays lit depends on numerous factors.  There are a few techniques to follow to maximize the lifespan of a solar lighting system.

Purchasing a quality solar unit from a reputable provider solves half the problem. Choosing the right area for installation is the next step.  It is also important to keep your solar system clean and to check the batteries occasionally and replace if necessary.  It is important to always look into the specifications of your solar light.  Street lighting that are designed to perform all night long switch on automatically at dusk and switch off at dawn, staying on throughout the night.  Again, this depends on how well sunlight is absorbed by the panels and how much energy gets stored in the batteries.

You will know what to expect in terms of lighting hours if you choose the right solar system for your lighting requirements.  There are many varieties of solar lights such as solar street lights, solar garden light, solar outdoor lighting, solar outdoor lighting and more.  Each one has its distinctive specifications and you should purchase your light considering your specific needs.  Usually, solar panels last up to 20-25 years and the batteries have a lifespan of around 4-5 years.  If you think your solar lights are not maintaining charge, routine inspection will help you diagnose the problem and you should know when to replace batteries and panels.

For optimal illumination, it is advisable to install your solar light in a shadow-free area where it receives direct sunlight.  The solar light should also be away from street lighting or other bright house lighting as they can diminish your solar light’s longevity and interfere with the performance of the motion sensors.  Solar lights placed near dusty areas, gardens, play areas or busy roads may require regular cleaning and maintenance.

Tips on how to charge solar lights with indirect sunlight

Keep your solar panels cleaned

Solar lights do not require any frequent maintenance; nevertheless, cleaning the solar panels off dust and dirt will help your lights to charge efficiently.  Solar street lights can absorb sunlight even in cloudy weather.  Any dust accumulation on the panels makes it difficult for the panels to get charged.  Cleaning your solar light with clean water and a microfiber cloth will do the trick.

Position your solar led lights correctly

The solar panels must be placed directly facing the sun as there is less sunlight available during cloudy days.  Occasionally trim shrubs or tree branches blocking the panels and also, avoid installing your solar light next to a bright light source.

• Redirect sunlight with the help of mirrors

If your solar light is installed underneath a shadow, you can take the help of mirrors to redirect sunlight to your solar panels.  Choose mirrors that are bigger than the panels and place the mirror stand in a diagonal position.  This will help to reflect sunlight and charge the battery.

Use artificial lighting for charging

Place your solar light underneath a household light or close to an incandescent light bulb to charge it.  LED flashlights can also be used to charge your solar led lights.  Do this only if you need your solar lights to light up at night during power outages.  Otherwise, there is no point using a hard-wired light to charge an energy-saving light.

Conclusion

The methods discussed above are not as efficient as direct sunlight; however, they can be a lifesaver.  Of course, the best way to charge your solar powered light is in the presence of direct sunlight; however, the lights can get charged even when there is indirect sunlight.  Most of the solar powered light have energy-saving options now which will help the charge to last for 2-3 days if they are exposed to direct sunlight for 7 to 8 hours during the day.

Youlumi, a leading solar led street light distributor in India, deals with compact solar garden light such as Solar European Pathway Light, Solar Vintage Garden Light and Solar Edison Garden Light.  Since they are small in size, they are easily rechargeable and even though not as quickly and efficiently as during sunny days, they can still charge even in indirect sunlight and put out a decent amount of brightness.

You may temporarily use regular batteries to illuminate your solar LEDs.  However, for the long-term operation of your solar lighting units, take time to purchase the appropriate battery option in order to avoid having to replace your entire solar led street light systems due to the damages caused by regular battery usage.