Power to highlight

This is where mains power differs from solar. A mains-powered garden spotlight does not have to conserve battery power, so it can provide much more brightness. If you want to light up a mature tree from the ground to the top, or light an entire façade, mains power is the better choice. The other advantage is consistency: the spotlight provides the same brightness every evening, including in December.

A cable into the garden

That is the downside. You need to get power to the right place, which means digging a trench and laying an underground power cable. Lay the cable at a sufficient depth, preferably in a protective conduit. Take a photo of where it runs before you fill in the trench, so you know where the cable is if you need to dig in the garden again later.

Think ahead

Since you are digging a trench anyway, it is worth planning ahead. Lay the cable along a route where you might want to add more lighting later, or install an outdoor socket at the same time. Also choose a tiltable model: as a tree grows, you can adjust the spotlight without having to dig everything up again.

What to look for

Pay attention to the stated protection rating (IP rating): a garden spotlight stands low to the ground, where water can splash up and remain. Some spotlights run on 12V and need a transformer; this is listed in the product details. Have outdoor connections installed in line with the applicable regulations, preferably on a separate circuit with residual-current protection. Call in a professional for the installation.