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Garden Lighting
updated: Mar 05, 2013, 8:38 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

Question for EdHatters: Does anyone have experience with solar spotlights for the garden? I'd like to spotlight a a couple of trees and was wondering about those lamps disguised as rocks (or any freestanding fixture); also I'd like to light up some steps. I'm really tryng to avoid those cold white lights.

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

MACPUZL	2013-03-05 11:35 PM
Please don't point the lights up. That just adds to light pollution.
COMMENT 381769P	2013-03-05 11:58 PM
Don't expect them to really be spotlights. At best, the light is a glow. It would not light up a palm tree. I use them to mark the edges of my driveway. They work great for that, but I would not really consider them lights. They would probably be fine for lighting steps. The ones that I had that looked like rocks barely gave any light at all. They were useless.
COMMENT 381773P	2013-03-06 05:32 AM
I also found them useless. I tried to light up a few birch trees, and there was barely a glow. I got rid of them.
COMMENT 381775P	2013-03-06 06:10 AM
I've had several and agree with other comments, but they're getting better. LEDs are brighter and use less current, so they stay on longer. I've also used them as emergency lighting during power outages. I'm sticking with them.
COMMENT 381789P	2013-03-06 06:47 AM
Not enough power from the approx. 6x6 or 8x8 panels, is my experience.
COMMENT 381801	2013-03-06 07:22 AM
The single solar spot lights I purchased for under $10 each at OSH do work to shine some light on a path from a few feet away. But I have to think they would have no effect on anything but the base of the trunk of a tree. I have had good luck with the solar powered mini lights (Christmas lights on a string) Osh had some heavier lights, $4, that actually last a long time (both light and battery) but the ones they put on sale for a buck are two are not worth that. HD has some nice lights too, but look for the heavier lights. And the best ones have been the multipacks at Costco. I use a lot of the lights so in case of an emergency my elderly mom can safely see to get around her large yard.
COMMENT 381808	2013-03-06 07:47 AM
I used the ones disguised as rocks to highlight a low fountain and some related statuary and did well in the beginning. Over time the power dimmed and the highlight became more of a glow. 2 years later they are at the landfill. As others have said they do not put out enough light to do any good illuminating trees, except the base. So MACPUZL can rest assured that these lights, even a gaggle of them, won't pollute the night sky - not even for your next door neighbour. :-)
WILLOW	2013-03-06 08:10 AM
I have both the solar walk lights (very faint light and the dog knocks them down all the time!), and a solar "spot light" at the base of a small tree. A previous commenter was correct. At first, the spot light was bright enough, but the photovoltaics degrade over time and it's getting dimmer and dimmer. But I have had it for a couple of years now and it still looks okay. The walk lights, not so much.
COMMENT 381913P	2013-03-06 10:58 AM
Avoid the cheap $1-2.00 solar lights. They don't last and just add to toxics in the landfill.
COMMENT 382166P	2013-03-06 11:10 PM
You can, and should, remove the rechargeable batteries from solar lights before you discard them. If your light is getting dim, but you want to keep the fixture, just replace the rechargeable battery. Marborg picks up batteries separately for free.
COMMENT 382189	2013-03-07 07:21 AM
Solar is useless, go for low volt outdoor. Aqua Flo on Milpas or the big one in Goleta has many examples of outdoor lighting and they can answer your questions.
COMMENT 382212P	2013-03-07 08:28 AM
Check out online sources, also. Plow and hearth has some cute stained glass styles, ones with a warm amber light, and step lights. Not so much for spotlights though. Spotlighting/uplighting trees at night is kind of a fad that you missed the peak of, anyway.
COMMENT 382235	2013-03-07 09:10 AM
In over two decades as a landscape contractor my experience has been that solar powered landscape lights, while great in principle, lack the ability to cycle their batteries every day for a long enough term to justify their cost. You would be far better served to install a simple low voltage system with super efficient low watt LED fixtures that will function for years reliably and with great energy efficiency.
COMMENT 382539P	2013-03-07 09:12 PM
OP here - thanks all for input. 212P "Missed the peak"? That's the story of my life. :-)
COMMENT 382604	2013-03-08 08:33 AM
Landscape lighting is not a fad. (tiki torches?) New LED lamps are color controlled, dimmable Battery and solar cell technology needs to ketchup.

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