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How to charge solar lights without sun – 5 smart tips

Harry November 10, 2024

Whether you have security or decorative lighting to illuminate your porch or backyard, best solar lights It is a big investment. Not only do they instantly brighten up your outdoor spaces when it gets dark, they can also add an inviting ambience to your home. More importantly, they are wireless and environmentally friendly, saving you money on energy bills.

However, as the name suggests, solar lights rely on direct sunlight to operate optimally. So what happens when you encounter snow or overcast weather during the winter months?

There’s no denying that the more sun they get, the longer they’ll perform, but don’t despair. Fortunately, there are some clever ways to charge solar lights without being exposed to direct sunlight. You can even boost the charge without any sunlight!

If you want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your outdoor lighting this season, here’s how to charge solar lights without the sun.

1. Place it on the windowsill (on a cold day)

Solar lantern on the windowsill next to the plant

Solar lantern on the windowsill next to the plant (Image credit: Future)

Bring solar lights indoors and place them near a window during the day, ideally where direct sunlight hits them. Surprisingly, LED solar lights can be charged through glass because the photovoltaic cells are sensitive enough to pick up the correct wavelengths of light.

Moreover, choose a cold day to do this! This may seem strange, but experts say it is better to charge solar lights in cold weather. This is because the electrons inside solar panels do not have extreme electron movements. As a result, this will create a higher voltage difference and produce more energy.

Remember that window charging is only a temporary solution and solar lights are much more efficient outdoors in natural daylight.

2. Clean the solar lights thoroughly

Cleaning the solar lantern panel with a green microfiber cloth

Cleaning the solar lantern panel with a green microfiber cloth (Image credit: Future)

As the seasons change, the surface will inevitably become covered with dirt, dust, pollen or plant debris over time. All of these can affect light/brightness output.

Simply use a clean, damp microfiber cloth to gently wipe away dirt from the surface of the solar panel. Avoid using dish soap or detergent as they can cause streaks.

This will ensure you get the best results even in cloudy weather. For heavy dirt or extreme weather conditions such as sandstorms, you can gently wash the solar lights with a hose.

3. Cheat with artificial light

Using electric bulbs to charge solar panel

Using electric bulbs to charge solar panel (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Another important tip for charging solar lights without the sun is to use artificial lighting. Sources such as regular incandescent bulbs, LED lights, incandescent bulbs, and even bright flashlights can all provide adequate light to the panels.

Typically solar cells respond to any strong light because they operate at similar wavelengths and spectrum. Simply place your home lights a few inches away from the surface of the panels.

It doesn’t help that it takes much longer to charge, up to 12 hours depending on the power of the bulb. Ideally, use 40W to 100W for best results. In any case, artificial lighting is a great alternative to charging any solar-powered object in the house.

4. Use the built-in USB charger

Connecting the USB cable to the charger

Connecting the USB cable to the charger (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Depending on the type of solar LED lights you have, some brands come with a built-in USB charging option. These can then be connected to power banks or wall sockets via a cable.

Although this option still requires an electrical source to operate, it is still a convenient way to power your solar lights.

5. Turn off solar lights and let them charge

Installing solar light on the wall

Installing solar light on the wall (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Another important tip is to turn off your solar lights for 72 hours to allow them to charge more efficiently. This is known as “deep charging” of the battery, and even when they are turned off, they continue to charge and store energy for best results.

Ideally, leave the solar lights outside where they will receive as much sunlight as possible. If you’re still not getting optimal brightness, you may want to place your solar lights in an area that will face the most direct sunlight.

Experts recommend doing this once or twice a month to preserve the life of your solar cells and get the most out of them.

How many hours of sun do solar lights need?

In general, solar lights should receive about eight to 10 hours of full sunlight per day to provide approximately 15 hours of illumination. Of course, this depends on the location, the type of direct light, and the exposure it receives.

For best results, it is best to place your lights in direct sunlight and in an area that is not shaded by tall trees/leaves, walls and even some roofs; because these can block the amount of light the solar panels receive.