Deck lighting has been with us for some time now and helps transform any deck at night. But recently solar garden lighting has crept up and now it is possible to buy solar deck lights. But before you rush out to buy some, let’s first examine how good they are.

The most obvious difference with a solar deck light is its size. By comparison with conventional deck lights they’re noticeably larger for the simple reason that more surface area is necessary to house the solar panel. This is simply an observation rather than a criticism since the larger format has its own visual appeal.

The way to install a solar deck light is the same in most respects to the way you install a normal deck light, in other words drill the correct size of hole and ram it home. The obvious difference is that you don’t need to lift boards and connect a load of wires under the deck.

However, a not so immediately clear disadvantage of solar deck lights is that once fitted they don’t, in contrast to regular deck light, just stay in situ from then on. All solar garden lighting uses rechargeable batteries which have a fixed number of recharge cycles, meaning that when the battery has been recharged that number of times it must be replaced (so much for “free” light).

So every couple of years or so (depending on the quality of your batteries) you need to pry the units away from the deck boards, trying not to damage either in the process. You then need to locate and open the (typically very well sealed) battery compartment and replace with a battery of a type and rating suitable for the solar charger.

But the real problem with solar deck lighting is that ultimately even the best ones aren’t as bright as regular wired low voltage LED versions, nor will they last anywhere near as well. So then, with maintenance, performance and longevity all called into question, are they worth having at all?

The great selling point with solar deck lighting is that you can install it very easily and quickly. However, this advantage isn’t exactly overwhelming when you consider that installing low voltage cables under deck boards is also pretty straightforward. And then there’s the problem of what to put in those very precisely cut holes in your deck boards when the solar lights bite the dust.

So the verdict has to be that in most cases you’re frankly a whole lot better of going for conventional deck and patio lighting. However, there are always instances where access to cabling might be awkward and some folk really don’t have an issue with periodic maintenance. However, just make certain before you buy that you take them back if (as is unfortunately often the case) they are no good.

To find out more, Danielle recommends these excellent articles that cover solar deck lighting and LED outdoor lights in general.

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