Homeowners often use solar spotlights to illuminate their property’s exterior features so that people can clearly see them after the sun goes down. You might feel confident in your lights’ ability to shine bright during the spring, summer, and fall, but what about during the chilly winter? Read on to discover whether solar spotlights function in cold weather and what you should do to maintain them.
Do They Operate During Cold Weather?
Let’s begin by answering the central question: Solar spotlights can indeed function in cold weather. However, you may notice reductions in their performance. That’s because the shorter daylight hours in winter limit the amount of solar energy available for charging your device.
Cold temperatures may also impact your lights’ batteries. Rechargeable batteries can lose capacity when exposed to freezing conditions, resulting in dimmer illumination and shorter operating times. Despite these challenges, high-quality solar spotlights can withstand cold weather and provide your home with the exterior illumination it needs.
How Do You Keep Them Working in Cold Weather?
Now that you know that solar spotlights function in cold weather, you may wonder how you can keep them working. The following strategies will maximize their effectiveness even when temperatures drop so you can enjoy reliable illumination throughout the winter season.
Reposition Them To Access More Sunlight
Because the sun’s path changes during the winter months, your solar spotlight probably won’t be able to soak up as much energy in its current position. The sun is in a lower position during winter, so you must adjust the placement of your light. Moving it to an area that receives the most direct sunlight during peak hours will maximize charging potential.
You should also relocate your solar spotlights from areas where buildings, trees, or other structures can create shadows during the limited daylight hours. During winter, south-facing positions typically receive the most consistent levels of sunlight. Even small adjustments in positioning can result in significantly improved charging performance and longer operating times in low-light conditions.
Remove Snow From the Panels
Snow and ice accumulation on your spotlight’s solar panels can block sunlight absorption, making it impossible for the device to charge during the day. Owners should regularly clear snow from the panel surfaces to ensure maximum energy collection during daylight hours. Use a gentle cloth to remove snow without scratching the panel surface, which could permanently reduce its efficiency.
Removing ice without damaging your panels is a bit more challenging, so you must be cautious. Allow ice to melt naturally when possible. In addition, do not use sharp objects to chip away ice. You may end up cracking the panel surface and creating permanent damage that will affect performance year-round.
Change the Batteries As Needed
As we established, cold weather can compromise your solar spotlight’s battery, making replacements necessary. Take the time to monitor the performance of your batteries, and replace them before they fail to ensure consistent lighting throughout winter.
Another step you can take is to use a different type of battery in your spotlight. For example, consider upgrading to cold-weather batteries that maintain better performance at low temperatures, such as lithium-ion batteries instead of standard nickel-metal hydride versions.
Lithium-ion batteries will also provide users with additional benefits, such as shorter charging times and a long service life. Using these batteries will enable your solar spotlights to gather energy more quickly, saving you money on replacement batteries.
What Should I Do When Storing My Lights?
Although your solar spotlights can provide satisfactory performance during the winter, you may decide that you don’t have time to perform maintenance on them. Instead, you might prefer to put them away inside until spring arrives. Read on to learn how to properly store your spotlights so they will be ready to shine again when the weather gets warm.
Take Out Your Batteries
Remove your solar spotlights’ batteries before putting them into storage. Doing so prevents damage from potential leakage that could corrode their internal components. After you remove the batteries, use a dry cloth to wipe off any corrosion or debris that could affect performance when reinstalled.
Afterward, place the batteries in bubble wrap to protect them from damage. You can then return them to their original packaging or place them in moisture-resistant containers. Store them at room temperature to ensure your lights are ready to operate effectively when returned to service.
When spring arrives, charge the battery so it runs dependably after you reinstall the light outside. By following these tips, your property will get the light it needs, and you can avoid having to buy a replacement battery for your unit.
Store the Lights in a Dry Place
Moisture protection is crucial when storing your spotlights, since water infiltration can damage electronic components and cause corrosion that affects long-term performance. Once you have removed your solar lights from the ground, take a moment to wipe them clean and remove any dirt from their exterior.
After removing the batteries, you must take care to protect the device’s lighting component and solar panels. Wrap these parts with bubble wrap so they don’t experience any accidental damage while in storage.
Then, place the light in a box where it can stay safe and dry until spring arrives. A cardboard or plastic container should provide your solar spotlight with sufficient protection. Store the box in a dry environment where temperatures remain relatively stable.
Avoid storage locations subject to extreme temperature fluctuations or high humidity levels. Proper storage will preserve the electronic components and ensure that your solar spotlights are ready to perform again once the weather warms up.
Your solar spotlights can effectively function in cold weather if you give them proper maintenance and care throughout the winter season. Although these lights may not perform as strongly as they do during warmer seasons, following the maintenance strategies outlined above will ensure reliable operation, even during periods of snowfall.
If you haven’t yet purchased solar spotlights for your lawn, contact Outdoor Solar Store today. We offer high-quality spotlights that can accentuate unique features on your property while standing up to cold weather.
