Place it and you are done

A decorative solar lamp takes care of itself: during the day, the panel charges the battery, and thanks to the built-in light sensor, the lamp switches on automatically when it gets dark. You do not need to charge it, find a cable or switch it on yourself. That is exactly what you want from a lamp that can simply stay in your border.

Give the panel plenty of sun

How long the lamp stays on depends on how much sunlight the panel receives during the day. So give the lamp a spot where it gets plenty of sunlight, rather than placing it in the shade of a hedge or tree. This is particularly important when the lamp is among your plants: in spring it may be in full view, but by July it could be hidden among the perennials. Keep this in mind when choosing where to place it, and make sure the plants do not cover the panel.

What to expect in winter

A solar lamp will usually stay on for less time in winter than in summer because there are fewer hours of daylight and less sunlight to charge the battery. For creating atmosphere on a summer evening, that is usually not a problem. If you want your lighting to stay on for the same length of time every evening, including in December, a battery model is more reliable: you can charge it whenever it suits you.

What to look for

With solar models, the LED is already built in, so you do not need to choose a bulb yourself. Pay attention to the stated protection rating (IP rating), which indicates how well the lamp is protected against moisture. It is best to bring decorative models indoors during severe weather or frost. You can find more solar-powered lighting in our solar lighting range.