If you are searching for a lighting solution for your landscape, you may want to consider solar-powered bulbs that are not only efficient but also economical and eco-friendly. Now you can effectively illuminate your porch (you can read about other types of solar porch lights), pathways, patio, deck, and lawns. So today, we’ll be telling you all about different types of solar-powered bulbs for your consideration.
With solar-powered bulbs, you can forget about annoying electrical wiring, external power sources, or power bills. It is as simple as setting them up outside in the sun, and they will automatically convert the free energy emitted by the sun into energy that can be utilized as light on your property. If you are a fan of the outdoors, you can also take your solar-powered bulbs camping.
With many options in the market, you may feel overwhelmed when choosing what’s what, so we understand things may get a bit fuzzy. That said, you have nothing to worry about; if you keep scrolling down, you’ll learn in this guide what you need to know about different types of solar-powered bulbs.
Solar Powered Bulbs FAQ
Are there Solar Powered Bulbs?
Designed for campers, the light has four solar panels that charge the battery by day and five LEDs inside, which glow for up to four hours at night. The bulbs are the same shape and size as the ones in your home, so you could even screw them into a standard fitting.
Can you get solar power from a light bulb?
Charge your solar lights with the help of an incandescent bulb. The light from the bulb would be able to charge a solar light efficiently. The closer the solar light to the bulb, the less time it will take your solar panel to charge.
Why choose solar powered solar bulbs?
Nowadays, traditional incandescent bulbs are considered the least energy-efficient light bulbs on the market, with LEDs (light-emitting diodes) leading the way as the longest-lasting, most energy-efficient light source, which also happens to be low in CO2 emissions, helping to reduce your carbon footprint. Yep, you read it right! Light bulbs contribute to the world’s carbon dioxide emissions created in the generation of electricity to power them.
How long do solar-powered lamps last?
Generally speaking, the batteries in outdoor solar lights can be expected to last about 3-4 years before needing to be replaced. The LEDs themselves can last ten years or more. You will know that it is time to change parts when the lights cannot maintain charge to illuminate the area during the night.
Can LED lights be solar powered?
Yes, solar technology can be powered using LED lights, albeit not as efficiently as sunlight. This is because LEDs emit similar spectrums of light as natural sunlight. However, the lumen output, color temperature, and distance of an LED bulb will each bear on how much power a solar panel can produce.
Do you leave solar lights on all the time?
Generally speaking, solar-powered lights do not work during the day. To test if the light is working, you will need to cover the solar panel to simulate darkness completely.
Can you replace a solar light bulb?
For extensive corrosion, you might not be able to fix outdoor solar lights that stop working. Instead, you’ll need to replace them. If your solar lights are on a strand, much like fairy lights, check the wire to ensure it’s still in good shape.
What do 600 lumens mean?
Lumens measure how much light you are getting from a bulb. More lumens means it’s a brighter light; fewer lumens means it’s a dimmer light.
Can you put a 100W LED bulb in a 60W socket?
For a 60-Watt fixture, you could use a 100W, 125W, or even 150W LED equivalent because they all consume under 60-Watts. That means you could use a 150W LED equivalent bulb in a 60W socket and get more than three times the brightness of your old 60-Watt incandescent bulb.
Common reasons why your solar-powered bulbs won’t work:
- Not receiving enough sunlight: If you place your solar lights in the shade or a covered area, the chance of them working is minimal because they won’t receive sufficient sunlight.
- Dead batteries: If dead batteries are the culprit of your solar lights not working, you need to replace them.
- Dirty solar panels: A layer of dust or dirt on a solar panel prevents it from absorbing sunlight, and the little that gets in may not charge the batteries properly.
- Water buildup: Even though solar lights are water and weather resistant, sometimes residue or water may build up inside the panel, damaging internal wiring and circuitry.
What to do when solar lights stop working?
Check the landscape
Sometimes, the light stops working simply because plants in the area have grown so much they block much of the daylight the solar panel needs to charge the device. To fix outdoor solar lights that stop working, for this reason, trim back any overgrowth or simply move the light, so its panel receives direct sunlight much of the day.
Inspect the light
Check the switch on the solar light to ensure it’s entirely in the “on” position. The switch may be on the bottom of the light capsule or under the cap of a solar landscaping light. Turn the cap counterclockwise to loosen it from the clear plastic portion of the light to access the switch on some models. Once you’re sure the switch is on, set the light in an area where it receives full sun for several hours, then test it by covering the solar panel with your hand.
Refresh the panel
In many cases, solar lights stop working because the plastic covering the solar panel gets cloudy. This is especially true for inexpensive landscaping lights. If the plastic looks cloudy after wiping it down with a damp soft cloth, apply a coat of clear nail polish once the panel dries completely. This will help the panel receive light again, which should charge the solar light to function correctly. Allow the nail polish to dry completely, then set the solar light up so its panel will receive ample sunlight.
Check the battery
If you’ve cleaned and cleared up every obvious issue and the solar light still doesn’t work, it may need new batteries. The batteries are usually tucked under the solar panel assemblage.
Solar Powered Bulbs
SUNTHIN 2 Pack LED Bulb Replacement for Solar Powered String Light
This LED light bulb is for low volt DC 3V only, don’t use for normal AC 120V light. The LED string light bulbs used a plastic high clear shell, operating Temp:-20℃~40℃, perfect for outdoor string lights.
Upgraded LED Driver was designed with overload protection, short circuit protection, and over-temperature protection.
Features:
- LED
- 3 Volts (DC)
LightMe Portable 130LM Solar Powered Led Bulb
With 12pcs high lumen Epistar chips, this solar light is up to 130LM, enough brightness for lighting at night, high efficiency, and low power consumption.
Ideal for indoor lighting or outdoor lighting, such as camping tent, fishing, hiking, cooking, working, reading, emergency, chicken coops, shed kit, other indoor-outdoor activities, etc.
It can be used as a portable lighting lamp to charge your mobile devices with a USB port.
Features:
- Portable Hook
- Indoor/Outdoor
Mabor DU-12R Multi-functional LED Solar Lamp
Hook bulbs can be hung using, such as hands-free during your work. It can adjust three different brightness levels with the remote controller within 10m.
After recharging, an independent portable lighting system with an inbuilt high capacity and durable rechargeable battery, the lamp can be taken anywhere.
It can be used for home lighting, camping lighting, and emergency use when there is no AC power at home or offices.
Features:
- Convenient Desing
- Dimmable
- Remote Controller
YINGHAO Solar Light Indoor Home
YINGHAO patented solar lighting system is a completely independent off-grid power system, with a portable solar panel and larger power output, combining the charging and lighting.
2 LED bulbs light can work independently with on and off switches. The solar panel has characteristics of anti-reflective and high transparency.
The portable solar panel and bulb are waterproof at rating IP44 and with a high-capacity battery.
Features:
- Waterproof
- Bright Solar Light
- Easy to Use
Portable Solar Panel Power LED Bulb
Charge during the day so you can use it all night long. The bulb lasts up to 8 hours on just a single charge. Suitable for home emergencies, hiking, camping, fishing, beach tent, etc.
Convenient on/off button and hanging hook make this bulb the perfect travel accessory to light up your following location.
Water-resistant bulb technology allows you to take this device into the depths of the forest on your next hike with no worries.
Features:
- Solar Energy
- Solar Panel
- Energy saving
