Are Solar Christmas Lights Worth It? Pros, Cons and Downsides

Solar Christmas lights are worth it for spots far from an outlet, such as a back fence, a mailbox or a tree at the end of the drive, where the main benefit is no cords. They are not worth it for saving money on LED lights, for large rooflines, or for yards that get little winter sun.

That answer hides a few trade-offs worth knowing before you spend money. Below are the real pros, the downsides sellers rarely mention, and a quick way to decide for your own yard. For buying advice once you decide, see the best solar Christmas lights guide.

The pros of solar Christmas lights

EnergySage, a solar marketplace, lists five benefits: lower electric bills, a smaller carbon footprint, automatic on and off, easy installation with no outdoor outlet, and weather resistance. Most hold up. One needs context.

• No outlet, no cord. This is the strongest reason to buy. A set can go on a tree 100 feet from the house without an extension cord across the lawn.
• Automatic operation. A light sensor switches the set on at dusk and off at dawn, so there is nothing to remember.
• Fewer electrical risks outdoors. The CPSC’s advice for plug-in lights centers on outdoor-certified sets, GFCI-protected outlets and cords rated for the job. A solar set has none of those connections to get wrong.
• Easy to move. Because nothing is wired in, you can shift a set to a sunnier spot in a few minutes.

The savings claim is the one that needs context. Against old incandescent strings, the savings are real. Against modern LED plug-in sets, the electricity saved is small. Our solar vs plug-in cost comparison works through the numbers at current US power prices.

The downsides of solar Christmas lights

December is the worst month for solar

Christmas lights run in the season with the least sun. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that Denver receives nearly three times more solar energy in June than in December. It also says thick cloud can cut direct sunlight by 100%.

Consumer Reports found that solar lights still produced light after charging on overcast days, “but a lack of sun affected battery life.” In practice, a set rated for 8 to 10 hours may give far less after a gray week. The winter guide has sun data by city.

Run time depends on the day before

EnergySage puts typical run time at 8 to 14 hours on a full charge, most commonly 8 to 10. Gama Sonic, a solar lighting maker, estimates 2 to 3 hours of light for every hour of sunlight on its own lights. A panel that gets two hours of direct sun cannot deliver a full evening.

The battery wears out

Every solar set depends on a rechargeable battery. Gama Sonic says its lithium-ion batteries are designed to last 3 to 5 years, and a separate Gama Sonic maintenance article suggests replacing batteries every 2.5 to 3 years. Sets with a sealed battery have to be replaced whole. Our guide to replacing solar light batteries covers sets with a battery door.

Worn rechargeable batteries also need proper disposal. The EPA says rechargeable batteries should not go in household trash or municipal recycling bins.

Less light for your money

A solar set has one small panel and one small battery. That limits how many LEDs it can run and for how long. Plug-in sets can link into long runs and stay at full brightness all night.

Stray light can keep them off

Gama Sonic warns that street lights, house lights and neighbors’ lights shining on the sensor can stop a solar light from turning on. On a well-lit street, panel placement takes more thought.

Solar Christmas lights: worth it or not?

Your situation	Worth it?	Why
Tree, fence or mailbox far from an outlet	Yes	No cord to run or trip over
Renting, or a balcony with no outlet	Yes	No wiring needed; see solar lights for balconies
Sunny, south-facing yard	Yes	Better December charge
Whole roofline or large display	Usually no	Plug-in runs are longer and brighter
Shaded yard or north-facing porch	Usually no	Too little winter sun to charge
Mainly to cut the power bill	No	LED plug-in sets cost cents a season
Lights must stay on until a set time every night	Usually no	Run time varies with the weather

Many homes end up using both: plug-in lights on the house near outlets and solar sets at the edges of the yard. If there is no outlet at all, compare solar with battery sets in our guide to Christmas lights without electricity.

How to get your money’s worth from a solar set

1. Buy for the spot, not the photo. Check where the sun falls at midday in late fall before choosing a location.
2. Buy a brand that publishes its specs. Our solar Christmas light brands comparison shows which makers state battery size, run time and IP rating.
3. Choose a separate panel on a lead so the lights can sit in shade while the panel sits in the sun.
4. Pick a set with a timer. Shorter nights at full brightness beat a set that runs out at 9 p.m.
5. Check the weather rating on both the panel and the string; see waterproof solar Christmas lights.
6. Give it a full first charge. EnergySage says brands recommend 8 to 12 hours of sunlight before first use.

Solar Christmas lights for spots without an outlet

Browse current solar Christmas lights on eBay, new condition only.

Shop solar Christmas lights→

• Warm white
• Multicolor
• 100+ LEDs
• With remote

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