I. Core Working Principle

Charging: During the day, the solar panel absorbs sunlight, converts it into electricity, and charges the built-in rechargeable battery (typically lithium-ion or nickel-metal hydride).

Control: The lamp has a photoresistor controller built into it. When the ambient light dims (such as at night), it automatically switches on the circuit, illuminating the LEDs. When the ambient light brightens (such as in the early morning), it automatically switches off the circuit, stopping illumination and beginning charging.

Illumination: At night, the battery powers the energy-efficient LEDs, providing illumination.

II. Main Types and Styles

You can choose based on the style and functional needs of your garden:

Functional Lighting:

Lawn/Mushroom Lights: These are low-profile, soft, downward-facing lights, primarily used to illuminate paths, borders, or create ambiance.

Spotlights/Floodlights: These provide concentrated, high-brightness light, used to illuminate specific features, such as trees, sculptures, walls, or house numbers.

High-Pole Garden Lights: Similar to traditional streetlights, they range in height from 1 to 3 meters and provide large-area illumination, such as the center of a garden or a rest area.

Decorative Lights:

String Lights/String Lights: Extremely flexible, they can be wrapped around trees, railings, or tents to create a romantic and dreamy effect.

Lantern Lights: Designed in the style of classical Chinese, Japanese, or European lanterns, they combine decorative and illuminating functions.

Animal/Character Lights: Shapes like birds, butterflies, and lotus flowers add interest to the garden.

Floor Lights: Embedded in the ground or on walkways, they provide both illumination and paving, creating a high-tech feel.

III. Key Considerations

Solar Panels:

Types: Monocrystalline silicon has the highest efficiency, followed by polycrystalline silicon. Amorphous silicon (flexible panels) is less efficient but can be bent.

Size and Power: Generally speaking, larger panels and higher power (measured in watts) result in faster charging and better performance on cloudy days.

Battery Capacity:

Measured in milliampere-hours (mAh) or watt-hours (Wh). A larger capacity means a longer battery life. For example, a 2000mAh battery will last longer than an 800mAh one.

Mainstream batteries have evolved from nickel-cadmium/nickel-metal hydride to lithium batteries, particularly lithium iron phosphate batteries, which offer longer life and greater safety.

LED Quantity and Brightness:

More LEDs don't necessarily mean brighter light; it also depends on the power and quality of each individual LED.

Brightness is measured in lumens (LM). The higher the lumens, the brighter the light. Ambient lighting may only produce 10-50 lumens, while functional lighting can reach 100-500 lumens or even higher.

Lighting Duration and Cloudy Day Battery Life:

Check the "Full Charge Life" label on the product. A good product can provide 6-12 hours of light in full sunlight.

Ask or check its performance on cloudy and rainy days; a good light can last one to three nights even on cloudy days.

Material and IP Rating:

Material: We recommend metal (such as aluminum alloy) or high-quality ABS plastic for the lamp body, as they are more durable and resistant to aging.

IP Rating: Pay attention to the IP (Ingress Protection) rating, which indicates its resistance to dust and water.

IP44: Splashproof, suitable for most outdoor environments (rainproof).

IP65/IP66: Water-resistant and strong jet-proof, it can withstand even the most severe weather conditions, allowing for peace of mind when hosing down your garden.

IP67/IP68: Temporary immersion-resistant, suitable for areas prone to flooding.

Smart Features:

Personal Sensor: Automatically brightens when a person passes by, dimming at other times for both safety and energy efficiency.

Multi-Level Dimming: Switch between high and low brightness modes.

Dusk to Dawn/Timer: Basic automatic on/off features are now standard.