MAKE THE MOST OF IT: A GUIDE TO PLACING SOLAR-POWERED LIGHTING IN YOUR GARDEN
Solar-powered lighting is the easiest way to create a magical atmosphere in your garden, on your balcony or on your patio. It is environmentally friendly, cost-effective and requires no complicated electrical installation. However, to ensure your solar lanterns and string lights shine at full brightness when darkness falls, the positioning of the solar panel is absolutely crucial.
Let the sun light up the evening – here’s how it works
Solar-powered lighting is powered by solar energy stored in a rechargeable battery. During the day, the solar panel converts daylight into electricity. When the twilight sensor detects that it is getting dark, the light switches on automatically. The more energy the panel manages to collect during the day, the brighter and longer your decoration will shine in the evening.
Find the sunniest spot for your solar panels
To ensure the battery charges to its full capacity, the solar panel must be positioned where it receives as much direct sunlight as possible.
Avoid shade from trees and bushes
Although it may be tempting to hang a string of lights deep within a leafy tree, foliage and branches can block the vital rays of sunlight. A panel that is in the shade – even for part of the day – will not reach its full capacity.
Tip: Many of Star Trading’s products feature a separate panel on a longer lead. This allows you to place the lighting itself in a shady corner or under a parasol, as long as you position the panel outdoors in direct sunlight.
A south-facing position gives the best results – but is the evening sun enough?
The ideal orientation for a solar panel is south-facing, where the sun is at its strongest for the longest hours. If you position the panel facing east or west, it will still receive sunlight, but the duration of sunlight exposure may be slightly shorter.
Bear in mind that the sun’s angle varies depending on the season. In early spring and autumn, when the sun is lower in the sky, it is particularly important to ensure the panel is not positioned behind a fence or the edge of a building that casts long shadows.
Smart placement: From fairy lights to decorative bollards
When planning your garden, consider how you can use different types of lighting to create depth:
- Solar-powered bollard lights: Place them along footpaths or in flowerbeds where the sun shines through the plants.
- String lights: Wind them around railings or hang them in tree canopies, but ensure the solar panel (which is often at the end of the string) has a clear view of the sky.
- Table decorations: Feel free to move your solar lanterns onto the garden table during the day if the table is under cover, so they can charge properly in time for the evening meal.
Care instructions: Keep the panel clean to ensure a longer burn time
A common reason why solar-powered lights become dimmer after a while is dirt. Pollen, dust and rain splashes can form a film over the panel and block the sun’s rays.
- A simple solution: Wipe the panel regularly with a damp cloth (without using strong cleaning products). A clean panel can absorb significantly more energy than a dirty one!
