Solar Lights Not Working? Find the Fault in 10 Minutes
An ordered ten-minute test that finds the fault without a multimeter, what each result means, and which solar light failures are worth fixing.
Category: Solar Lights
Choosing, placing and looking after solar lights around the house and garden.
Can I Use a Higher mAh Battery in Solar Lights?
Yes - but it only buys you anything if your light is still lit at dawn. The pre-dawn…
How to Make a Solar Light From Scratch: A Real Design
Two solar light builds with the arithmetic shown: panel current vs. LED draw, the inductor that sets brightness,…
Drawbacks of Solar Tube Lighting: 8 Honest Limits
Light output by tube length, bends and sky condition, real installed costs, condensation risk, and when a skylight…
Do Solar Lights Need Batteries? Yes – Here’s Which One
Yes - and the wrong cell is a hazard, not just a dud. NiMH vs NiCd vs lithium,…
How to Clean Solar Lights (and When Cleaning Won’t Help)
Clean solar lights safely in 10 minutes — plus the 30-second test that tells you whether dirt is…
How Long Do Solar Lights Last? The Part-by-Part Answer
Battery: 1-4 years. LED: 12-17. We break solar light lifespan down by component using manufacturer data, and what…
Best Solar Deck Lights To Buy (2026)
The best solar deck lights are the ones that still come on in February. That means a battery…
Best Solar Tiki Torch Lights (2026)
A solar tiki torch lives or dies on how convincing the flicker is. The good ones vary brightness…
Best Solar Shed light Review (2026)
A shed light is the one solar fixture where the panel and the lamp must be separate: the…
The Best Solar Spotlights (Reviews & Buying Guide) (2026)
A solar spotlight is judged on two numbers most listings bury: lumens and beam angle. A 200-lumen light…
Best Solar Driveway Lights (2026)
A driveway light has one job the rest do not: it has to survive being driven over. That…
Best Solar Pillar Lights – Reviews and Buyer’s Guide (2026)
Pillar lights are bought on looks and returned on fit. Measure the top of the post before anything…