Solar Christmas lights are one of the most low cost Christmas decorations, helping the homeowners to save anywhere from around 100 W per each string of their lights. Another benefit of solar Christmas lights is that they turn on and off on their own, with the aid of a special photo cell making your Christmas even more magical.

Solar Christmas lights do not require an electrical outlet, they do not incur any energy costs, and they get charged in the daytime and turn on automatically in the evening. These lights eliminate the need for dangerous extension cords. These lights are a great and easy way to decorate trees around the house. Since there is no need for sockets, you can decorate any tree, no matter how far away it is from your house.

Small solar panels of solar Christmas lights can be conveniently placed on a tree branch or stuck into the ground. The panels usually include four solar cells, a light sensor and a regular rechargeable AA battery. The cells are capable of converting solar energy into regular electricity. A bright and sunny day, will allow the battery to completely recharge.

The most sound are solar Christmas lights with specific polycrystalline solar cells, which charge well even on an overcast day, as well as, they emit brighter light.

It is actually quite simple to calculate how much sun you need for your lights to stay on throughout the whole evening and the night. Each hour of sunshine will allow the lights to shine for an hour in the evening.

Most common shapes of solar Christmas lights include: round, oval and teardrop shapes. Most common colors include: blue, red, green, and yellow. You can choose the type of light to your preference; some lights have soft and dim light, while others have bright and clear light.

There is no need to put down your solar Christmas lights after Christmas is over. You can use these lights to decorate your deck, the pathways, as well as you can use them for different other holidays, such as birthdays and anniversaries.

Not everybody lives in an area with constant sunshine. It is better to opt for the solar Christmas lights, which are operated with a rechargeable AA size battery. If the day was rainy or snowy, the homeowners can recharge the battery themselves with a regular battery charger.

The most important thing about solar Christmas lights is that you can place them anywhere around your house and in the garden, and still you would never need to worry about the cords running across your yard. You would also never have to turn your lights off and on. Another pleasant thing is that you would save a lot on each electric bill.

Before placing your solar Christmas lights, take note of your yard for 2-3 days. Does the area, where you want your Christmas lights placed, have a shadow cast? To get the most out of your solar Christmas lights, make sure that the solar cells panel is in direct sunlight.

About the author: John Monsholi is passionate about solar Christmas lights and solar powered holiday landscape lighting.