Solar landscape lighting is an environmentally friendly way to illuminate your yard and garden for security, safety and aesthetic reasons. According to www.lowes.com, solar lighting is powered by energy absorbed “from sunlight and converts it into electrical power that is stored in highly efficient rechargeable batteries.” Solar lighting does not require cords or wiring, making it easy to install. The only disadvantage of solar lighting is the level of brightness seen when compared to hard-wired landscape lighting: King County (Wash.) Department of Natural Resources describes it as “a limited amount of light–enough to mark a trail but not enough to illuminate activities.”
Plan where to install your lighting to determine how many lights you require. Lowes.com recommends using "fewer lights, placed close together (within 10 feet) than to use too many scattered far apart." Also, try to install lights out of the paths of lawn mowers or trimmers that may cause damage when in use.
Check the accessibility to direct sunlight for each light's solar panel. Buildings, large shrubs, trees or even bird droppings may provide unwanted shade that may affect the solar battery's performance and efficiency, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. As you finish installing your lights, look around to be sure the panels are angled to best capture the sun's rays.