When given the choice between spending money or getting something for free, which would you pick?

While this dilemma seems a little too good to be true, in the outdoor lighting industry, it's an increasingly valid question. Conventional outdoor lights run on the electricity you pay for, but solar lamps are powered by the always-free sunlight. Once you invest in your favorite solar lights, the costs stop. No money spent on difficult installation, upkeep, or energy.

Who doesn't love that?

However, you need to make sure that the lights you buy are not going to let you down. For a while, most solar powered lights only produced a dim amount of light, and were not very reliable. Thankfully, this is no longer the case with quality solar powered lights.

To choose good solar lights for your yard, you need to be informed. Here's what you need to look for when you are shopping:

LED lights

We recommend you always use solar powered lights with durable LEDs. They last longer than other light sources, and can hold up under harsher elements. LEDs require less energy to produce light, so they are much more dependable.

Efficient Photovoltaic Cells

You should stay away from older models, making sure your lights have durable solar cells and the most efficient batteries.

Function and Decoration

Make sure your lights will be able to perform the functions you require. Make sure your lights will be able to perform the functions you require. When lighting an outdoor area, you have many different kinds solar landscape lights to choose from – Here are just a few examples:

Solar accent lights

These are typically decorative lights used to mark areas or highlight features in your yard but not illuminate a large object or area. They are not as bright as other kinds of lights, and their purpose is mostly to add visual interest.

Solar path lights

Brighter than accent lights, pathway lighting is used to guide you around an area in the dark. They come in a variety of sizes, and operate in a range of different ways – timers, motion sensors, or dusk-to-dawn photocells.

Solar landscape lights

Aim a beam of light from a solar powered spotlight or floodlight at an interesting feature in your landscape such as an ornamental tree or architectural detail, or integrate them into your home security lighting plan.

Solar deck lights

The deck and patio are the perfect places to let your solar lights shine. Solar post caps, deck rail lights, step lights, and even solar string lights all offer a maintenance-free glow that makes your deck safe and inviting.