Atmosphere without a socket

A string light gives soft, atmospheric light: a series of small lights along a pergola, fence, tree or parasol. With a solar version, you do not need a cable to a socket, which is exactly what makes it so useful. The spots where string lights work well, such as the back of the garden or in a tree, often have no power supply nearby.

Where do you hang it?

You can hang a string light along a pergola or canopy, through a tree or shrub, along a fence or over a garden shed. Drape the string loosely rather than pulling it tight: a gentle sag looks more natural and puts less strain on the cable. With a tree, it works particularly well to wind the string around the trunk and larger branches rather than simply laying it over them.

Position the panel separately

How long the lamp stays on depends on how much sunlight the panel receives during the day. The handy thing about a solar string light is that the panel is usually connected by a cable, so you can hang the string in the shade of a tree and place the panel somewhere it gets plenty of sun. Ideally, position the panel facing south.

Solar or mains power?

Solar is ideal for creating atmosphere in more remote spots in the garden. If you want a string light above your patio that stays on all evening, every evening, including in winter, a mains-powered model is more reliable. For this, take a look at our string lights for outdoors. If you want more brightness above a table, a festoon cable is the better choice.