Can I Leave my Solar Lights out in the Winter?
Winter is here! If you're like our customers, you've got a bunch of solar lights scattered around your house. They're great for lighting up dark areas and keeping the yard looking spiffy year-round. But I always get one question about them that doesn't have an easy answer: can I leave my solar lights outside over the winter?
In most cases, yes!
In most cases, you can leave your solar lights outside year-round. We design our products to be left out in the elements year-round and they usually come with warranties that cover damage caused by freezing temperatures.
However, some solar lights are not waterproof or submersible (i.e., they cannot handle being submerged in water). If you have one of these types of lights, then it will need to be brought inside during the winter months so that it doesn't crack or break due to freezing temperatures!
tl;dr: be sure to look out for a weather-resistant IP65 waterproof rating.
There are some things to look for before you leave your solar lights out in the winter.
Look for a waterproof rating on your solar lights. A good rule of thumb is that if you can't submerge the light in water and it still works, then it's probably waterproof enough for outdoor use. This is especially important if you live in an area with lots of rain or snow (or both).
If possible, choose a weatherproof model that has been specifically designed to withstand harsh conditions like extreme heat and cold as well as rain or snow.. These lights typically have an IP65 rating--which means they are completely dust-tight, protected against contact with liquids (except strong acids), resistant against low pressures caused by jets of water from all directions except above, so they won't get damaged if someone accidentally spills something on them while cleaning up after dinner!
Waterproof rating, waterproof rating, waterproof rating.
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has created a set of standards for electrical equipment that gives them an "IP" code. This stands for Ingress Protection and refers to how much water an object can withstand before it's damaged or destroyed.
The first digit represents how protected against dust the object is; the second digit indicates how protected against liquids it is; and the third digit describes what happens if both dust and water are thrown at it. So if you see something rated IP67, then that means it can withstand being submerged in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes without being damaged in any way!
Tip: Your smartphone is rated IP68, meaning that it is submersible in water - just for a reference.
What else? Snow can block sunlight from reaching the solar cells and keep your lights from charging fully.
If you're going to leave your solar lights out in the winter, keep in mind that snow can block sunlight from reaching the solar cells and keep your lights from charging fully.
(Source: Gama Sonic)
This is because snow reflects light, which means that instead of being absorbed by the solar panel, it bounces off and goes elsewhere. If you live in an area with heavy snowfall or have a lot of shade from trees and other buildings on your property, this may be an issue for you.
But don't let snow cover your solar lights for an extended period of time.
But don't let snow cover your solar lights for an extended period of time. If the sun isn't able to reach the solar cells, they won't charge up and they won't work as well when you need them. Snow can also melt into water that can damage your lights and make it difficult for you to find them when you need them.
The solution? Just grab a rag and just wipe the snow off the top of the solar panels - that's it! For the more adventurous, just use your bare hands - but be careful of frostbite.