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Solar lights are a popular choice for eco-friendly and cost-effective outdoor illumination. But if you have solar lights but live in a place where you don't get too much sunlight, you always look for the easiest ways to charge them without sunlight. In most cases, you can go ahead with incandescent lights or USB chargers or even make adjustments to the solar light's position.
With the right method of charging solar lights, you can maintain their efficiency, preserve the built-in batteries, and ensure reliability. Jackery Portable Power Stations are your ideal companion for powering up your indoor and outdoor appliances. What sets these portable power stations apart from others is how easily they can charge solar lights even where there is no sun, or solar energy is extremely limited.
In this comprehensive guide to understanding how to charge solar lights without sun, you will find important resources on how a solar light works, how to charge solar lights on cloudy days, how long it will take to fully charge solar lights, and how to charge solar lights easily in winter.
Do Solar Lights Need to Be On Charge?
No, solar lights do not need to be turned on to charge. As per their internal system, solar lights charge through their solar panels, which harness the sunlight and convert it into electricity that would later be stored in the built-in battery. This process will be properly executed regardless of whether the solar lights are turned on or off.
In order to understand how to charge solar lights without the sun, one must first understand how solar light actually works. Most solar lights operate using a simple yet efficient process:
Solar Panels
Solar panels are typically made of photovoltaic or monocrystalline solar cells that absorb sunlight during the day. These solar panels convert the harnessed sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity.
Charge Controllers
The DC electricity from the solar panels flows into the charge controller, which then regulates the flow of electricity and prevents the battery from overcharging.
Battery
The electricity is then stored in a rechargeable battery until it is needed. Modern solar lights come with either lithium-ion or more advanced LiFePO4 batteries, which provide a stable voltage and current when needed to charge the appliances.
Light Sensor & LED Light
As daylight fades, a built-in light sensor detects a significant reduction in the light level. Once the reduction is detected, it automatically activates the connected LED bulbs.
Below is a visual representation of the solar light working process:
Benefits of Using Solar Lights
Solar lights are very important for those who live in areas that face extreme power cuts. Moreover, if you live in states like New York or California, which have higher average electricity rates than the other states, then by using solar lights, you can significantly reduce your monthly expenses. Here are some of the key benefits of using solar lights.
Eco-Friendly
Solar lights utilize renewable energy from the sun, reducing the dependency on fossil fuels and lowering carbon footprints.
Cost-Effective
The installation cost of solar lights might be slightly higher, but they incur no electricity costs once installed. This leads to significant savings on energy bills over time.
Low Maintenance
Unlike electric-powered lights that require regular maintenance or replacement, solar lights require less maintenance. Additionally, they have a straightforward installation mechanism, which also reduces the cost of hiring an electrical engineer.
Energy Independence
Most distant farms and lands often opt for solar lights because, unlike traditional lighting systems, they can operate independently of the grid. It makes them ideal for remote locations and areas that are prone to sudden power outages.
Solar Lights Wattage
The wattage of a solar light typically varies based on its design, size, and overall purpose. Here's a simple breakdown of common wattage ranges:
Pathway & Garden Lights: Consume 1 - 5 watts
Spotlights & Security Lights: Consume 5 - 15 watts
Floodlights & Streetlights: 20 - 150 watts or more.
How to Charge Solar Lights Without Suns?
Yes, you can charge solar lights without direct sunlight. While most solar lights that are available in the market are designed to charge effectively in direct sunlight, there are alternative methods to ensure they receive adequate power during seasons with limited sunlight. Here are the 8 alternatives for those who are aiming to understand how to charge solar lights without the sun:
Use Weak Light on Cloudy Days
Solar panels are designed to capture diffuse light on cloudy days. Even though harnessing solar energy would be less efficient, it can surely provide some energy. Try to position the solar lights in areas that receive the most ambient light during overcast conditions. You can even ensure that the panels are clean and unobstructed to harness the maximum amount of weak light they can absorb.
Use Incandescent Lights to Charge
When you urgently need to charge your solar lights and do not have access to the bright sun, you can always use incandescent bulbs. These bulbs emit a broad spectrum of light with wavelengths similar to sunlight.
You can place your solar lights under a bright incandescent lamp and position the solar panels as close to the light source as possible. Once the incandescent lamp is turned on, it will start charging the solar lights.
Use LED Light Sources to Charge
One major drawback of using incandescent lights to charge solar lights is the increase in electricity bills. If you need to charge the solar lights, then you can further use LED lights. They are energy-efficient and can also be used in emergency situations to charge solar panels.
You can place your lights under high-intensity LED lamps or lights. Always make sure that the attached solar panels are directly facing the light. This method of charging the solar lights is particularly helpful when sunlight is insufficient. You can leave the solar lights to get charged overnight before you head for a weekend camping trip.
Use USB Charger
Modern solar lights also come with USB charging options, which let you easily plug them into a compatible cable. This cable, in turn, is connected to a USB charger that provides the required energy for the solar lights to charge.
The USB charging method is convenient for quick and reliable charging. With this method, you are not bound by one type of charger; rather, you can use your computer, power banks, or even USB wall adapters to quickly power up the solar lights.
Use Solar Charger
If you frequently travel to the outskirts or go on extended camping trips, then you can carry a portable power station to charge your solar lights. These portable power stations are designed to be highly efficient and can store energy for use during periods of low sunlight or extended power cuts.
A Jackery Portable Power Station is an ideal choice to charge and power solar lights among other indoor and outdoor appliances. With a built-in battery management system, it also provides a stable output voltage to ensure that the internal circuitry of your appliances remains intact.
Clean the Solar Panels
Another to consider while charging the solar lights without the sun is to reduce the dirt, dust, and other debris that's present on the solar panels.
Ensure that you are cleaning the panels with a damp cloth or mild soap to ensure the removal of any obstruction. Try to keep them as clean as possible to maximize their ability to convert available light into energy, even on cloudy days.
Move Solar Lights Around
If you have placed the solar panels in a location that attracts little solar energy, try to relocate them to areas that receive the most light throughout the day. Try experimenting with the location and understanding which areas on the terrace or yard get more indirect light or reflected light. This can further help maximize the charging potential from any available ambient light.
Plan Long Charges
Do not bring the battery level of your solar lights to 0%. If possible, try to provide an uninterrupted charging session. Opt for locations that provide the best possible light conditions for an entire day. This long charging would ensure that the battery maintains its capacity and that the solar lights can operate at their best when needed.
How Long Does It Take To Charge A Solar Light?
The charging time for a solar light typically ranges from 4 to 10 hours. However, the charging time depends on several factors, including:
Sunlight Intensity
Your solar panels will charge more quickly on a bright, sunny day. However, if there are long-stretched clouds or overcast days, the charging may take 8 to 10 hours.
Solar Panel Efficiency
If you use higher-quality solar panels with a honeycomb light-trapping design, like Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels, they can convert sunlight to electricity more efficiently. This also reduces the overall required charging time.
Battery Capacity
A garden or pathway solar light typically consumes 1 - 5 watts, whereas a street light or flood light requires 100 to 150 watts. So, the larger batteries require more time to fully charge than the ones with smaller battery capacities.
Can Solar Lights Charge on Cloudy Days?
Yes, you can charge solar lights on cloudy days or without the presence of a bright sun. The charging process would definitely not be that fast or efficient, and the batteries will take longer to reach a full charge. That said, your solar lights will have some amount of energy for your needs.
Here is how you can efficiently charge solar lights on cloudy days:
Maximize Light Exposure
Always position your solar lights in areas that receive the most ambient light throughout the day. Typically, a south-facing location provides more light than a north-facing area.
You can further ensure that there are few to no obstructions that would hinder the charging process. Try placing the solar lights where there are no trees, buildings, or other large objects that might cast shadows on the solar panels.
Use Reflective Surfaces
You can place large aluminum foil or mirrors in and around the solar lights to reflect additional lights onto the solar panels. By placing the solar panels around the reflective surfaces, you can enhance the charging process by capturing and redirecting all the available lights.
Use Portable Chargers
For optimal solar light charging during cloudy days, you can use a Jackery Solar Generator or Jackery Portable Power Stations as an alternative charging solution. These solar generators and portable power stations can store a good amount of electricity and provide a reliable power supply for solar lights and other heavy-load appliances.
Furthermore, Jackery Portable Power Station lets you connect and power other LED lights to illuminate the area when your solar lights are being charged.
Replace Batteries
If you are using solar lights for a long time and they take longer to get charged during cloudy days, you can also consider using higher-capacity rechargeable batteries. Compared to the old ones, the newer batteries may hold a charge better and last longer.
Jackery Portable Power Stations for Charging Solar Lights
Jackery is an award-winning manufacturer of solar generators, solar panels, and portable power stations. It was founded in 2012, and since then, it has received several accolades due to its research and development in creating eco-friendly devices that harness the sun's power to generate stable electricity.
A Jackery Portable Power Station is a portable unit with a built-in pure sine wave inverter. When plugged in with Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels, this pure sine wave inverter takes the harnessed energy and converts it into AC to easily charge indoor and outdoor appliances, such as solar lights, laptops, and power equipment, such as an electric drill, air conditioner, refrigerator, etc.
Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station
Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station is highly recommended to those who spend much time in the outskirts or live in areas facing frequent power cuts. With a reliable battery that can be expanded to generate more power, this portable power station is ideal for off-grid living and powering your appliances during extended blackouts. This unit also features an Emergency Power Supply mode that starts the operation within 20 ms of a power outage.
Appliances Working Hours
- Portable Air Conditioner (1000W): 1.7H
- Electric Oven (800W): 2.1H
- Large Solar Floor Light (400W): 4.3H
- Solar Flood Light (300W): 5.7H
- Solar Bat Street Light (20W): 86.8H
Customer Review
"I like this thing; it's got a lot of power... It powered my air conditioner on high... It powered power tools... It's really not that heavy... It doesn't take too long to charge..." -- Michael Wheeler.
Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station
If you are looking for a reliable power source that powers up your household appliances and comes in handy during camping and off-road travel, then Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station has your back. This best-selling portable power station offers multiple output ports, capable of supporting 99% of your devices. It also boasts the innovative ChargeShield technology that ensures a stable and reliable power output to protect your sensitive electronics, like smartphones, laptops, smartwatches, etc., from any hardware failure.
Appliances Working Hours
- Electric Oven (800W): 1.3H
- Large Solar Floor Light (400W): 2.6H
- Solar Flood Light (300W): 3.5H
- Gaming Laptop (140W): 7.6H
- Solar Bat Street Light (20W): 53.7H
Customer Review
"The Jackery inverter was simple & easy to use. The screen gave you all the information that was needed. No clutter. I would highly recommend it." -- William Neely.
Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station
Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station is ideal for frequent travelers, campers, or anyone looking for an eco-friendly way to charge their small to mid-range appliances on the go. This portable unit only weighs 8.27 lbs and offers a whisper-quiet mode, operating at a noise level of less than 45 dB. Due to its compact and ergonomic size, you can carry this portable power station in your in-flight luggage.
Appliances Working Hours
- Gaming Laptop (140W): 1.7H
- Desktop PC (80W): 3.0H
- Outdoor Inflatable Pump (60W): 4.0H
- Solar Bat Street Light (20W): 12.2H
- DSLR Camera Battery (5W): 48.9H
Customer Review
"We needed a 120v output but wanted to keep the price affordable. The Jackery 300 Plus was just the ticket." -- Carlos Casarez.
How To Charge Solar Lights Indoor?
Although solar lights are primarily designed to harness sunlight, you can charge them indoors using the right methods. You can power them up with artificial light sources or portable power stations.
There are different ways to charge solar lights indoors, like:
Use Portable Power Station
You can connect your solar lights to a Jackery Portable Power Station to get them charged. These power stations can be charged via the grid or with solar panels and provide a stable output to quickly charge the solar lights.
Use LED Light Source
Bring your solar lights to a place in your house or office that has high-intensity LED lights. Position the solar lights under them and ensure that the light is focused directly on the solar panel for optimal and fast charging.
Use USB Chargers
If your solar lights come with USB charging options, you can connect them to a USB charger for a quick charge. You can use a computer, USB wall adapter, or even Jackery Portable Power Station to charge the lights directly. With USB charging, you can ensure that your solar lights are fully charged and ready to use when needed.
How to Charge Solar Lights in Winter?
Yes, you can charge your solar lights in winter. However, the charging process can be more challenging due to shorter daylight hours, potential snow that might cover the solar panels and lower sun intensity.
Despite having certain issues, there are a few effective ways to charge your solar lights during the extended winter seasons, like:
Maximize Sunlight Exposure
Always try to position your solar lights in those areas that receive the most sunlight during the day. If the position allows, try tilting the solar panels to an optimal angle to capture the lower-angle winter sunlight.
Keep Solar Panels Clean
During the winter seasons, it is often seen that solar panels get covered with snow, ice, and other debris that come on it. Such debris reduces their overall efficiency. In the winter, periodically clean the panels with a soft brush or cloth to remove snow and similar ice buildup.
Use Portable Power Stations
Utilize a portable power station to charge your solar lights when sunlight is insufficient. A Jackery Portable Power Station can charge your solar lights and other household appliances. These portable power stations can withstand extreme temperatures without losing overall efficiency.
Use Artificial Lighting
If there are extended dark days during the winter season, you can bring your solar lights indoors and place them under strong artificial lights, like incandescent bulbs or LED lamps. Ensure that the solar panels are as close as the artificial lighting to ensure effective charging.
How To Charge Solar Lights Without Sun FAQs
How big of a portable power station do I need for my solar light?
The size of a portable power station that you would require to charge your solar lights without the sun, depends on the battery size of the same. If you wish to change the street lights, you will require a portable power station of lower capacity, but if you want to charge multiple devices along with a solar flood light, you will require a higher-capacity portable power station.
Let's suppose you intend to concurrently charge a solar flood light (300W) and an electric oven (800W) with a Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station; then the working hours can be calculated by:
Working Hours = Battery Capacity in Wh * 0.85 / Wattage Consumption of the Appliances
Working Hours = 2042.8Wh * 0.85/1100W = 1.5H
Note: The portable power station's battery capacity is multiplied by 0.85 to account for the power loss during initial charging.
How do you manually charge solar lights?
There are several ways to manually charge solar lights. You can either use a Jackery Portable Power Station or place them under artificial lighting conditions.
Can you charge a solar light with a house light?
Yes, you can charge solar lights with a house light. To do this, you will need to place the solar panel under a bright indoor light source and ensure that the panel is as close to the light source as possible. These light sources can be incandescent bulbs or LED lamps.
Will solar lights charge in the shade?
Yes, solar lights can charge under the shade, but at a significantly reduced efficiency. The diffused light from the shade will still provide some charge, but it will take a long time for the batteries to reach their full capacity.
Can you charge solar lights with a torch?
Yes, you can charge solar lights with a torch, but it is inefficient. You will need to constantly hold the torch closer to the solar panel. Even if you use a holder to hold the torch, its battery will automatically get reduced in the long run. Such a method of charging the solar light is not very practical.
Correctly Charge Solar Lights Without the Sun
If you ever wondered how to charge solar lights without the sun, then understand that there are several creative ways that have shown effective results. Whether utilizing artificial lighting, reflective surfaces, or portable power stations, there are several effective solutions to ensure your solar lights remain functional regardless of weather conditions. If you face extreme cold or rainy days and are looking for effective charging of your solar lights, you can go ahead with Jackery Portable Power Station. The portable and high-capacity batteries charge 99% of your household appliances and can significantly help you reduce your electricity bills.
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