Solar Powered Lights Can Get Screwed Big Time In Wyoming

If you've spent time and money working on the landscaping around your house, the last thing you want to have to do is pay big money for lighting. So, you may turn to solar-powered lights.

Solar-powered lights also work great for holiday decorations too. Use the sun to power the lights and save on the power bill.

Sounds like a great idea to me.

Technology is cool when it works, but just like anything, when they start aging, they can develop issues. Those issues can develop due to a long list of things.

When the Wyoming wind blows, it may not directly affect how much light your solar lights put off, but it can still be a big problem. Dust and debris blow onto the solar panel of your light's fixture, reducing the energy created. Snow is another factor that can mess with your lights; we have our fair share of that here. A light dusting isn't an issue, but the more snow we get, the bigger the problem.

If you're not sure how the solar lighting systems work, it's simple.

• Solar Panels use the sun's energy to charge a battery inside the light.
• The panel acts as a photocell, turning the light on at night and off when it's light.

A friend said the solar lighting around his yard, deck, and fence stopped working, and he wasn't sure what happened. We started troubleshooting what the problem may have been, and the list is long. So, I thought I would pass the list of potential problems on to you in case you're having issues, too.

• Check for Proper Placement
  • Ensure the solar panels receive enough sunlight during the day.
  • Clear any obstructions that may cast shadows on the solar panels, hindering charging.
• Inspect the Solar Panels
  • Clean the solar panels regularly to remove dirt, dust, or debris that can affect efficiency.
  • Check for any physical damage to the panels that might compromise their functionality.
• Evaluate Battery Performance
  • Examine the condition of the rechargeable batteries.
  • Replace batteries that have reached the end of their lifespan to maintain optimal performance.
• Check the LED Functionality:
  • Test each LED bulb to see if any are bad
  • Replace bad LEDs to restore proper illumination.
• Inspect Connections
  • Ensure all wiring connections are secure and free from corrosion.
  • Replace or repair bad wires
• Make Sure The Light Sensor Is Working
  • Confirm that the light sensor is unobstructed and functioning correctly.
  • Adjust sensitivity settings as conditions change
• Keep an Eye on the Environment Around The Light
  • Extreme weather conditions or heavy vegetation.
  • Make adjustments to accommodate environmental changes that may impact performance.
• Reset the System
  • Sometimes, a simple reset of the solar lighting system can resolve issues.
  • Turn off the lights, disconnect the batteries, wait for a few minutes, and then reconnect to reboot the system.
• Do Regular Maintenence
  • Follow recommended maintenance procedures to prolong the lifespan of your solar lights.
• Upgrade
  • Consider upgrading to newer, more efficient models if your solar lights are outdated.
  • Explore advanced features.

Good luck if you're having issues.