What Am I Doing Wrong? Why do my Solar Lights Come on During the Day?

All too often, what seems like a simple piece of technology misbehaves in a way that is just truly infuriating.  That can at times be the case with solar lights, which are supposed to remain off during the day to charge and come on at dusk or dark.  So, what are you to do when this process is reversed and your lights start shining through the day?  This is not only irritating, but can wear down your lights and will likely prevent them from working at night as a result.  That is precisely the reason we have put together this guide to troubleshooting your solar security light and finding a solution for why your solar lights come on during the day.

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Why do my solar lights not work?

When your lights start malfunctioning, the first step toward identifying the problem is to check the batteries, as a set of faulty or dead batteries is likely the issue.  If this doesn’t fix the problem, or makes it worse, then the issue may be with your sensor, which can be induced into a false reading by moisture, dust, or light.  If these two most common solutions do not fix your problem, then you should consider the following questions:

• Are they coming on, but turning off before they are supposed to?

If your lights are simply not working as long as they used to, it could be a matter of the age of the machine or the age of the batteries.  In the case of commercial solar lights, you can typically expect a five-to-seven-year lifetime before performance suffers from age; residential lights will be much shorter.  The advantage with residential solar lighting, however, is in the ability for the batteries to be replaced with batteries you can pick up at your local store.

• Are the lights not coming on at all?

If your lights are simply not coming on and the battery is not the problem, then it is oftentimes an issue with the lamp.  Solar lighting lamps, just like light bulbs in your house, must be replaced periodically, with the 15+ year lifespan of most LED options the exception.  If your solar light uses CFL, HPS, LPS, or metal halide in its lamp, however, it will die much sooner.

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What could go wrong??

• Batteries: Though your solar panels absorb energy from the sun, this energy needs somewhere to be stored.  This is where your batteries come in.
  • Most solar lights are equipped with rechargeable NiCd or NiMH batteries, which are limited to one- or two-year lifespans.  After a while, your rechargeable batteries will gradually lose their charging ability, causing your system to fail.  If you are having problems with your performance, it is certainly worth replacing your batteries as that is often the simplest and cheapest solution.

• Solar Panels: Most solar lighting options have one or two solar panels located atop the light, positioned to capture sunlight and use photovoltaic cells to convert the sunlight into electricity.  Being outside, these panels face consistent threats from weather, wind, debris, and bird droppings which can all hinder or prevent the sunlight from reaching the panels.
  • A dirty panel means an inadequate charge and a reduction of your battery’s life; simply wipe the panel with a damp paper towel to clear away any dirt or debris or use a small amount of diluted dishwasher detergent for more-thorough cleaning.  Allow your panels to charge for a full day to determine if this has fixed your problem.

• Light Sensor: Your solar LED lantern will come with a photoelectric light sensor which operates your solar light and determines when it turns on and off based on whatever settings are selected.
  • If your solar lighting is failing to come on at night or fails to turn off in the morning, you may very well have an issue with your sensor.  Check to make sure there is nothing blocking or obstructing the sensor’s ability to do its job, as well as for interference from light sources such as a porch or street light.
    • As sensors rely on the distinction between light and dark, rather than day and night, any interference can cause a faulty reading and result in malfunction.

• Location: Just as location is key to determining your home’s value or your business’s traffic, where your solar lighting system is located can play a major role in the function of your product.
  • Since these products rely on the charge provided by sunlight, shade, overcast, or other obstructions can significantly impact the efficiency and brightness of your solar lights.  If they are not burning bright enough or not staying on long enough, you may very well have a simple issue of too much shade.  This can be resolved by moving your solar lantern into an area where it will receive more-direct sunlight to ensure a full-day charge and the optimal function of your solar lighting product.

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Conclusion

Solar lights are an incredibly useful technology capable of thoroughly and consistently providing light to your home.  As is the case with any budding technology, however, these lights can run into problems at times, with battery, sensor, and bulb failure among the possible causes.  If none of the above suggestions has solved your problem, your light may just have reached the end of its life; if that is indeed the case then we’d recommend you check out our Solar Security Lights Buyers’ Guide, at https://thesolaradvantage.net/solar-security-lights/  for some helpful suggestions and a breakdown of the top available Solar Security Lights on the market today.

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