Solar lights are lights that are powered by sunlight. They are generally used in outdoor applications and have gained in popularity as consumers have sought alternatives to electrical lighting. Many consumers are attracted to solar lighting because it is widely considered to be more environmentally friendly than lights powered by electricity. Solar lights are also convenient to use because they are designed to automatically turn on whenever lighting is needed and turn off when lighting is no longer required.

 Solar lights are often used for outdoor garden decorative lighting, to illuminate outdoor pathways and walkways, and also as spot lighting. Solar lights are usually expensive than their electrical counterparts, however for many applications, solar lights are typically easier to install and do not require the extensive wiring that is necessary with electrical lighting. Even with the additional expense of solar lights, many consumers find that the savings generated by consuming less electricity make solar lighting an attractive and viable alternative to outdoor electrical lighting.

Solar powered lights utilize solar cells to harness the power of the sun. For this reason, solar powered lights must be installed in an area that receives direct sunlight to work. Solar cells are typically made primarily of silicon and other materials, such as phosphorus, to help the silicon work more effectively. The expense of silicon is one of the main reasons that solar lighting is typically more expensive than electrical lights. However as solar technology improves, the pricing of solar lighting will in all likelihood continue to decrease.

During the day, solar cells absorb sunlight and use the energy from the sun to charge a rechargeable nickel cadmium battery. This battery is what actually powers the light when the solar light is on. The light will continue to function until the battery has used up its charge. With a full charge, solar lighting can stay illuminated for approximately eight to twelve hours.

Solar lights have a device known as a photoresistor that detects the level of light that is being received. When the photoresistor detects little or no light, an electrical connection is made that activates the battery, which turns on the light. Conversely, when the photoresistor detects light, the connection to the battery is deactivated, turning off the light. Many solar powered lights are manufactured with a switch that allows the user to manually override the automatic on/off function. This allows the user greater flexibility to determine when lighting is desired.

Solar lights can be purchased at most major hardware and home improvement stores. They can also be purchased from a wide variety of specialty retailers on the internet.

A solar LED light is a device that uses energy from the sun to power a lamp containing light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. These lights collect solar energy through a photovoltaic panel, then store this energy until it is needed to power the lights. Solar lights are available in a wide variety of styles and finishes, and can be used in applications ranging from small residential projects to streetlights.

Many outdoor fixtures rely on solar energy for power, including landscaping and floodlights. Sports and camping activities can also be powered using solar LEDs, as can bicycle lights or handheld lanterns and flashlights. Many holiday light displays also use solar LED lights.

While the photovoltaic panels used in these lamps are often built-in to the fixture itself, this is not always the case. In some applications, a separate panel collects energy from the sun and passes it to the solar LED light through a wire or cable. The lamp transforms this energy into usable energy to power the LED bulb within. In this type of application, where the panel is separate from the fixture, it's even possible for the solar LED light to be used indoors.

Many of these fixtures contain a built-in battery, which stores energy to power the light even when the sun isn't shining. Higher quality fixtures often have more powerful batteries, which can store a larger quantity of energy. Affordable garden lights and other solar LED lamps may have a relatively short battery life.

These lamps are considered a type of green technology due to their reduced impact on the environment. While traditional lights are powered using electricity produced with fossil fuels, a solar LED light represents clean energy. No fossil fuels are burned, which means fewer greenhouse gas emissions. This also means that these lights are fairly economical to operate, as they rely on "off-the-grid" energy sources for power.

The development of LED technology has further added to the advantages offered by these lights. LED bulbs are much more efficient than traditional light sources, and use only a fraction of the energy, which means they can operate much longer on a smaller power supply. They stay cool to the touch, unlike fluorescent or incandescent bulbs, which lowers the risk of damage caused by fire or heat. These bulbs are also much smaller than standard light bulbs, and offer both increased portability and a greater amount of light in a smaller space.

Like other types of green technology, solar LED lighting tends to be more expensive in terms of upfront costs than other light fixtures. Because they rely on solar energy, they can only be used in areas that experience regular sunlight. They must also be positioned correctly to maximize sun exposure, which may limit their use in some applications.