Best Solar Curtain Lights

In a world where the need to avert the effects of climate change has been emphasized over the years, curtain solar lights have taken center stage. Today, it is not uncommon to see solar curtain lights dot buildings, street lights, gardens, and houses. These solar powered patio lights are especially beneficial in regions where connecting to a central power grid is challenging. Solar lighting is also helping to decrease the world’s carbon footprint by leveraging the sun’s energy. Join us as we highlight more about solar lights, how they work, how to clean them, etc. Keep on reading to find out the best outdoor solar lights on the market. 

What are solar lights?

Curtain lights solar are movable light fixtures made of rechargeable batteries, LED lamps, and photovoltaic solar panels. The core element of the solar curtain lights outdoor is solar cells. They offer a cost-efficient way of lighting streets at night without electrical grids, among other functions.

How do solar lights work?

Solar lights depend on the photovoltaic effect to function. They use a panel of photovoltaic cells to absorb sunlight, generating an electrical current that flows through the panel. A solar battery continuously stores the energy as chemical energy the whole day. Some solar lights have photoreceptors that automatically detect darkness and turn on the light.

What to do when solar lights stop working?

Although solar lighting is a good option for providing light, these products can occasionally stop working. This can be attributed to faulty sensors, dirty solar panels, water intrusion, passive infrared dials, faulty batteries, etc. So, when your solar powered curtain lights stop working, use the key steps:

Check the system

Identify the root cause and then act on it. As such, ensure your solar panel is dirt free because a soiled panel can affect the amount of power it collects. 

Test the batteries

Another strategy is to test the solar outdoor lights with ordinary batteries. If the lights function with regular batteries, then the solar panel or inbuilt storage could be the source of the problem. You can also inspect the solar light switch to ensure it is entirely on.

Check panel positioning

A further troubleshooting strategy is to check whether the panels are positioned correctly. It could be that the solar panels are not getting sufficient light due to an incorrect setup. 

Turn to warranty

If all the measures fail to work, you should consider contacting the retailer. The solar lights come with a warranty period, and you could take advantage of having them rectified or replaced.

What kind of batteries do solar lights use?

Many people use one of two rechargeable batteries for bright solar lights, namely Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) for bright solar lights. These batteries mainly store the power derived from the solar panel system, which they later use to provide light at night. The batteries are readily available in local stores. Since they are identical, it is possible to use your choice model. Never purchase standard alkaline batteries because you cannot reuse them afterwards.

How much light do solar lights need?

As a rule of thumb, solar lights work best when solar panels get direct sunlight. Typically, your solar powered curtain lights outdoor panel need 6-8 sunlight hours to generate the electricity you require to last a whole summer night. If your panels cannot access direct sunlight, the charge capacity for the day may reach 4 hours. This amount can still meet your lighting needs for the entire night. Again, a decrease in sunlight resulting from rain or cloudy days will also decrease the lights’ working time by 1-4 hours due to the reduction of transmittance.  

How long do solar lights last at night?

Solar lights can last for about 4-12 hours during nighttime. The region you live in and the season affects the lights’ run time. For instance, your solar lights can last up to ten hours every night if you reside in a warm area like South America. However, expect your lights to last for about 6 hours during winter if you live in North America or the UK.

Other factors that can affect how long solar lights last include battery capacity, the intensity of UV rays, and the efficiency of the solar panel. Using NiMH batteries and larger top-quality solar panels and ensuring they access direct sunlight can increase your solar lights’ serve time.

How to clean solar lights?

You can clean solar lights using these few simple steps:

1. Ensure you have a mild detergent, a dry towel, a soft brush, and a clear coat spray.
2. Take your towel and soak it with the detergent.
3. Remove the top cover and wipe it. Rinse it with enough water to eliminate potential soap residue and leave it to dry in the sun.
4. Slide the towel through the surface of the solar lights fixture to clean it. Later, wash the fixture with water and allow it to sit in the sun for a while.
5. When it comes to the solar cell, wet it and later wipe it. This gets rid of leftover dirt or oil.
6. You can spray the solar panel with lacquer and leave it to dry.
7. Lastly, clean the solar batteries using vinegar and a brush by wiping the areas with corrosion.

How to stop solar lights from blinking?

Your best solar lights for yard may blink because of bad batteries, defective on/off switches, or light sensor and solar panel issues. Therefore, you can take several measures. First, check the batteries physically to see if they have indications of damage or degradation. Also, connect and disconnect the batteries into your solar system to confirm if they are engaged. Try new batteries as well to evaluate if the blinking will resolve.

Secondly, ascertain whether the switch is wired correctly. If that’s not the case, access the switch itself, pop it out from its housing, and look closely. If you don’t find any defects, turn the switch on and off a few times to see if the blinking problem stops. Last but not least, inspect the solar panels. Ensure they are clean, set up correctly in bright light areas, and are not misty. 

How to protect solar lights from rain?

Use waterproof material

Water and moisture can corrode the internal components of the solar panel and cause them to short-circuit or even reduce their lifespan. So, it is vital to protect solar lights from rain. You should cover the panels with waterproof material to ensure water will not leak when it rains.

Rely on the roof

Another approach is to keep the lights near your house where the roof can protect them. The measure may not protect the solar lights entirely from the rain. Thus, adequate monitoring and care are needed to keep the solar lights in good condition.

Use outdoor-rated options

A more reassuring method to protect solar lights from the rain is to purchase outdoor-rated devices. The weatherproof or waterproof options are made to withstand harsh weather keeping all your worries away.

Best outdoor solar lights

Do you want to buy solar outdoor curtain lights but don’t know where to look? Using Amazon solar lights guarantees that you get the best products on the market. We bring you our best picks which you could consider if stuck on which option you should choose:

OxyLED Solar Curtain String Lights Outdoor 300 LED

Specifications:

• Colour: warm white
• Material: plastic
• Usage: indoors, outdoors
• Remote control: 8 modes
• Theme: Christmas
• Light source: LED
• Use time: 8-10 hours
• Number of light sources: 300

Reasons to buy:

• Waterproof
• Numerous light settings
• Usable throughout the year in all seasons
• Features a smart automatic switch and thus good for indoor and outdoor usage
• Solar-powered

Reasons to avoid:

• The charging period is too long

Features

• Customers can use it for Christmas, holidays, parties, and everything else. 
• The string lights comprise 300 LED bulbs on ten wire strings that beautify your yard throughout the year.
• The solar curtains absorb sunlight for 6-8 hours daily.
• It can illuminate your house for about 8-10 hours at night.
• It comes with a smart auto on/off feature that permits it to charge automatically during the day and auto glow at night.
• It can withstand heat, rain, dirt, and rain, making it as safe outdoors as indoors.
• These curtain string lights have eight pre-programmed light modes: slow fade, steady glow, sequential, waves, slo-glo, sequential, flash, and twinkling.

IMAGE Solar Curtain Lights 8 Modes 9.8x9.8

Specifications:

• Colour: white
• Material: plastic
• Usage: Indoors, outdoors
• Remote control: 8 modes
• Theme: wedding
• Light source: LED
• Rechargeable battery: 2400mAh 
• Use time: 12 hours
• Number of light sources: 300

Reasons to buy:

• Offers a satisfaction guarantee
• Can be used indoors and outdoors
• Has a long run time
• Charges very fast and provides super brightness
• Waterproof and detachable
• Energy-efficient

Reasons to avoid:

• The vendor doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee

Features

• IMAGE solar-powered curtain lights are waterproof and guarantee the safety of voltage operation by adopting high-tech.
• The lights also have a detachable design that allows you to charge the solar panel separately outdoors.
• The lights integrate a high-density panel with a 24000mAH battery, enabling it to charge fast.
• The 300 LED lights present generate powerful brightness, making this product one of the brightest outdoor solar lights we have on the market.
• The curtain lights are also long, measuring approximately 9.85 ft* 9.85 ft.
• You may use the product for indoor and outdoor décor.
• The vendor is ready to provide you with a suitable solution if the lights fail to meet your expectations.
• The product can provide light for 12 hours at night as long as the batteries take up and store sufficient light during the day.

Echosari Solar Net Lights 200 LED

Specifications:

• Colour: warm white
• Material: copper and plastic
• Usage: indoors
• Remote control: 8 light modes
• Theme: romance and love, Christmas
• Light source: LED
• Rechargeable battery: 1200mAh lithium battery
• Use time: 8 hours
• Number of light sources: 200

Reasons to buy:

• Easy to use
• Offers eight light modes
• Has a long run time
• Price-friendly
• Incorporates an automatic switch
• Has a variety of uses

Reasons to avoid:

•  It is not as bright as other curtain lights

Features

• These solar net lights feature eight different light settings: fading, combination, steady on, twinkle/flashing, waves, fireflies flashing, chasing/flashing, and fading slowly.
• The product’s memory function enables it to turn on at dusk and go off at dawn.
• The lights are easy to install.
• You can use solar curtain lights to decorate your garden, patio, gazebo, wall, roof, windows, and so much more. The product is also suitable for Christmas or other holiday decorations.
• The solar panel battery has 1200 mAh, which allows the net lights to serve you for an extended period. For instance, they can light your night for 8 hours, given that the panel absorbs sufficient energy from the sun.
• The manufacturer has incorporated 200 LED net lights whose power source is solar energy. When you press the ‘on’ button and confirm that the sun is shining directly on the solar panel, rest assured that the internal features will complete the energy conversion.

DealBeta Solar String Lights Outdoor Waterproof

Specifications:

• Colour: warm white
• Material: copper, plastic
• Usage: outdoor
• Remote control: 8 modes
• Theme: holidays
• Light source: LED
• Rechargeable battery: 1200mAh 
• Use time: 8 hours
• Number of light sources: 200

Reasons to buy:

• Ideal for creating a warm atmosphere in your home
• Provides eight lighting options
• It has a long run time
• Easy to use
• Solar powered
• Cost-efficient and water-proof

Reasons to avoid:

• Charging time is not clear

Features

• The solar string lights outdoor have an inbuilt battery with 1200 mAH capacity allowing the product to light up your night for 8 hours max.
• You don’t have to worry about using the string lights in the rain because they are IP65 waterproof.
• There are eight lighting options available: fireflies flashing, steady on, fading, waves, fading slowly, chasing/flashing, combination, and twinkle/flashing.
• A dark green cable measuring 9.8ft x 6.6ft along with 200 LED lights are some features that define the product. The string lights are thus able to cover a vast area, creating a gorgeous and loving atmosphere for you.
• These lights are ideal for decorating various areas, including your patio, garden, windows, fence, bush, walls, and even your Christmas tree.

PSBOXS Solar Powered Net String Lights

Specifications:

• Colour: white
• Material: copper and plastic
• Usage: indoor and outdoor
• Remote control: 8 light modes
• Theme: Christmas
• Light source: LED
• Rechargeable battery: 1200mAh lithium battery
• Use time: 12-36hours
• Number of light sources: 192

Reasons to buy:

• It is waterproof
• Has a long run time
• Energy-efficient
• Offers several lighting features

Reasons to avoid:

• They cannot work well in the rain despite being waterproof

Features

• The product’s package includes several things like one solar panel, one gift box, 1x 15*5ft LED net lights, one manual, and one remote controller.
• The vendor guarantees a one-year customer service and 24 hours email response.
• The solar-powered net string lights support eight lighting options: slow fade, twinkle/flash, combination, in waves, steady on, sequential, chasing/flash, and slo-glo. 
• The lighting mode can be changed using the control button behind the solar panel.
• PSBOXS net string lights are your to-go-to solar lights for outside décor. They can shine brightly at night for 12-36 hours, thanks to their 192 LEDs.
• Since the product relies on the sun’s energy, there’s no extra utility electricity cost making it cheap solar lights. You don’t need to replace the battery because the light sensor regulates the solar-powered patio lights.
• The solar panel, wires, and LED lights are IP44 waterproof. Still, running the lights in the rain is not a good idea.
• Four light brightness levels are available to help adjust the lights to your liking.

Summary

Solar powered curtain lights are essential in reducing the carbon footprint as they do not emit greenhouse gases. They rely on the photovoltaic effect to capture and store energy from the sun, which they then use to light up your night. The solar lights for gardens are readily available on Amazon at low prices. But if you are planning on using them, we recommend you purchase one or more of the lights outlined above, as they are some of the most versatile solar lights you will find.