Yes, you can absolutely leave solar lights up in winter. Most of the solar lights on the market today are waterproof and suitable for outdoor use all year round. However, it’s important to note that solar lights will struggle during the winter months.
This means, no matter what time of year, solar lights charge in exactly the same way – as long as the solar panel receives enough daylight to power up the batteries to a point that the light can function.
There are many solar lights that are best for UK winter conditions but it really depends on what you need the solar lights for. Security solar lights with motion sensor are perfect all year round as the lights that only trigger when movement has been sensed. We make security lights with 1,400 Lumens (the brightest in the UK).
To do this, you may need to inspect your garden throughout the day during the winter months. If you have a north-facing garden and rarely have any winter sun, it may be worth investing in solar lights that sit atop your fence and angle the panel towards the sun (which is much lower during the winter).
Though it’s not a requirement, you may wish to consider adjusting your solar battery’s charging settings for the winter months. If you have a multi rate tariff, you can take advantage of off-peak energy prices by programming your batteries to charge from the grid overnight.
A lesser known fact is that solar lights will continue to charge while turned off. To ensure maximised energy output, consider turning them off during daylight periods. Solar lights are available in a wide range of styles and can be used for many different purposes.