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How to Make Solar Lights Brighter?

Written by K. Miller / Fact checked by J. Fussell

How to Make Solar Lights Brighter

Fossil fuels have been proven to cause more pollution to our environment since they’re non-renewable sources. So, to minimize pollution on our planet, resorting to solar lighting products is a wonderful idea.

We can now harness solar energy to illuminate our outdoor areas at dusk without inflating our electricity consumption. Best of all, solar lights operate on their own, so it’s unnecessary to supervise them more often.

But what if your solar lights no longer light up brightly as they used to? What can you do about this issue? How to make solar lights brighter?

Is It Possible to Make Your Solar Lights Brighter?

How-can-I-brighten-my-solar-lights

Are you having some problems with the way your solar lights illuminate at night? Have you noticed that they no longer light up brightly as before?

With a couple of changes, you will certainly be pleased to have your solar fixtures shining brightly as new again.

Here are some of the things that you can check out to make your solar lights illuminate brightly again:

Clean the Solar Panel

Generally speaking, one of the common causes why solar lights don’t light up brightly is that the solar panels are filthy. As you might already know, solar panels are the primary and contributing factor in producing electricity.

The solar panel contains small cells that take in solar energy. From there, it converts solar energy to battery power. Since solar panels are situated in spots where they could absorb more sunlight, they’re prone to various outdoor elements.

Indeed, they are prone to attracting water, snow, dust, and other residues on their surface. So, when solar panels are filled with dust and other dirt particles, they become less bright.

The accumulated dirt on the solar panels inhibits the sunlight from reaching the cells that convert solar energy to battery power. This is why it is a must to keep the solar panels clean all the time.

However, cleaning the solar panels is not a smooth sailing task. It would be best if you took extra caution when cleaning them. This is because solar panels are connected with the battery and electricity.

It is strongly suggested to utilize an appropriate light brush when cleaning the solar panels to avoid any damage. After eliminating the dirt from the solar panels, make sure to use water with a mild detergent when cleaning them.

After cleaning, gently wipe the remaining water off the solar panels using a dry and soft cloth.

Inspect the Batteries

If the batteries are malfunctioning, then it might be time to replace them and buy new ones. Fundamentally, the batteries are the principal parts of the solar panels. Hence, you must check them more often for any damage.

In the same way, batteries are essential components where solar energy is stored. They are also responsible for keeping the produced electricity. And, later on, they transmit the stored power into solar bulbs and other electric parts.

Batteries outfitted in solar lighting systems are built to last; however, they cannot last for the solar panel’s lifespan. They can serve for an extended period but need replacement once they cannot produce the same energy as before.

So, if you fail to replace the expired batteries, this can impair the solar panels due to corrosion. When changing the batteries, consider referring to the user manual of the product. From there, look for the precise spot where the batteries are situated.

Remove the expired batteries. Don’t forget to inspect any signs of leakage, dust, and white powder surrounding the compartment of the batteries. If you find one, use grit sandpaper and remove the leakage and dust.

After that, carefully place the new batteries. When cleaning, use a clean, soft cloth to wipe the area that needs to be thoroughly cleaned. Finally, re-assemble the fixture and place it back in its original location.

Check the Sunlight Exposure

Solar lighting product manufacturers always indicate the proper way of positioning solar panels in their user manual. But, users often misunderstand the instructions.

Yes, they position the solar panels outdoors, but they fail to consider other factors such as avoiding shady locations for the panels.

Before installing the solar panels, observe several areas outdoors to obtain the precise spot for your solar panels. Even when solar panels are placed outdoors, the sunlight might be covered with bushes and trees in the afternoon. This condition may stall the sun rays from getting to the photovoltaic cells after the morning light.

Meanwhile, if the panels are situated where they could absorb full sunlight during the day, you can ensure that the solar lights will illuminate brighter at dusk. A slight change in the location can significantly aid you in getting the light a bit brighter.

Additionally, you might want to make a cleaning schedule for your solar panels every month. This is to detect early on any potential issues or damages to your unit. In doing so, you can instantly take the necessary action before the condition gets worse.

Inspect the Lenses and Panels

It is critical to carefully examine the solar panels and lenses to make the solar powered lights brighter. You must check every component of the solar panels to make the solar fixtures brighter.

You can start by examining if the light coming is covered in dust. This connotes that the sunlight isn’t reaching the photovoltaic cells. And, this might be the reason why the light does not illuminate brightly.

Inspecting the panels and lenses must be done regularly. This is to ensure that they are working well or can be fixed right away. If the light is still not bright enough after sifting through the panel, perhaps the batteries require replacement.

Alternatively, you can get professional help if you think that fixing the problem is burdensome for you. This is particularly beneficial to users who aren’t familiar with the proper way of maintaining solar lighting products.

Consider Investing in Premium Quality Solar Panels

Keep in mind that solar panels come in distinct quality. Hence, it is imperative to pick a top-quality solar panel to avoid more issues in the future.

Not to mention, more premium quality panels will produce brighter illumination than any other solar panels. So, avoid investing in regular or ordinary options.

Aside from this, it helps to ask a professional to assist you in deciding and selecting the right solar panel for your household requirements. This way, you can end up with a well-thought-of decision and ensure buying a top-quality solar panel for your needs.

Monitor during the Day

Observe the cleaned solar lights at the daytime to ensure that they’re absorbing sunlight. Inspect the panels regularly for several hours to observe if they are not obstructed by stray plant leaves or shade for a few hours. Take in mind that sunlight is necessary to charge the solar panels efficiently.

If needed, move the solar lights to a location that receives direct sunlight exposure. Generally speaking, a spot that’s just one or two feet away is enough. This will allow you to keep the solar lights in the general site you initially planned for them.

However, if you can’t move your solar light to other areas, please check our guide on the top solar light for shade that I’ve used before. Furthermore, here is a list of solar rope lights and solar step lights for your reference.

Inspect the solar lights again after dusk

Check if they are brighter. If a few of them are dimmer compared to the other, consider waiting until daytime. Then, lift the lid from each dim light’s solar panel casing.

You can do so by twisting it counterclockwise with your hand. Alternatively, you may use a small Phillips-head screwdriver when removing the screws. Get rid of the dirt accumulated inside each solar panel housing or fixture.

Strong winds and heavy downpours can often cause dirt and water to seep into the solar panel housing, blocking operation.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, while solar powered lighting systems are deemed better options than traditional lighting systems, they may appear to lose a bit of their brightness over time. More often, solar lights don’t light up brightly because they require thorough cleaning, battery replacements, and some exhaustive inspections.

The good news is that there are several solutions to fix this.

If you’re having problems with the way your solar lights illuminate at night, consider the guides shared above. Hopefully, you find the information discussed in this post informative and valuable for your purpose.

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