Brighten your holidays with solar Christmas lights

One of the best parts about the holidays is seeing all the light displays in your neighborhood. You want to spread holiday cheer, but no one wants the Clark Griswold-esque scuffle with string lights and extension cords. Not to mention, weeks of holiday lights may have you unwrapping a big electric bill when the holidays are over.

If paying for those plug-in string lights turns you into a Grinch, consider switching to solar-powered Christmas lights. Think of them as a present to the planet and a win for your wallet.

Solar Christmas lights look just like traditional plug-in Christmas lights, except they’re powered by the sun. So there’s no need to hunt for an outdoor wall outlet or buy multiple extension cords.

Instead of a socket, solar-powered light strings connect to a small solar panel and a rechargeable battery. During the day, the solar panel soaks up the sun’s rays to create electricity; the battery stores it. Just find a sunny spot in your yard, stake the panel down, and let the battery charge. When the sun sets, a light sensor automatically powers on your solar lights using the electricity stored in the battery.

Solar lights use LEDs instead of incandescent bulbs. LEDs are far more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs and can run on just a few hours of sunlight stored in a battery. How do solar cells generate electricity?

There are several benefits to lighting up your home or yard with solar-powered Christmas lights over traditional plug-in lights or even battery-operated Christmas lights. Here are a few of our favorite reasons to go solar this holiday season:

• Save money: Solar-powered lights allow you to save on your electric bill because they run on sunshine.

• Reduce your carbon footprint: Unlike standard electricity, solar is a renewable energy source that doesn’t rely on fossil fuels.

• Automatic on/off: Solar Christmas lights will automatically turn on at night and turn off on their own.

• Easy installation: No need to find an outdoor plug and connect multiple extension cords.

• Weather-resistant: Battery-operated Christmas lights can corrode from water or cold temperatures, but solar lights are built to withstand the elements.

Solar Christmas lights may be slightly more expensive than incandescent ones, but they’re priced similarly to plug-in LED lights. Fortunately, Christmas lights aren’t very expensive, so that price difference usually amounts to less than $10. Not to mention, you’ll likely see far greater savings on your energy bill by switching to solar. How’s this for a cautionary tale: one Boston man saw his electric bill jump from $60 to nearly $300 after roughly two weeks of having Christmas lights. Bah humbug!

Buyer's guide: Solar Christmas lights

All prices are accurate as of November 19, 2024

Brightown

Brightown carries a variety of outdoor solar lights including several styles of holiday-related lights. The most affordable is the solar rope light, which comes in eight different colors and mode-changing abilities. Solar ropes can be used for all decor but are especially convenient for holiday lawn ornaments.

Joomer

The Joomer solar Christmas lights are visually similar to what you might think of as traditional strings of Christmas lights, with tiny lights densely packed onto the string. These lights would be great for decorating outdoor trees or bushes and come in a wide range of colors and lighting modes to let your decorating imagination run wild.

Toodour

The Toodour solar Christmas lights look slightly different from your standard Christmas lights up close with a flat top, but from afar you won’t notice a difference. They come in seven colors, eight modes, and various lengths and prices to fit your decorating needs and budget.

Jedavai

Jedavai’s unique “crystal globe” solar Christmas lights come in two different colors–warm white and multicolor. Both options have different light modes, including steadily on, twinkling, flashing, and more. These larger, ball-shaped lights are said to run between 10 and 14 hours on a full charge.

OZS

OZS offers a unique color variety with its solar Christmas lights, including a red and white combo and a red and green combo, along with the classic multicolor, and warm and cool whites. The lights have eight lighting modes and all sit on a dark green string, perfect for blending into the trees and shrubs in your yard.

Janchs

Step up your holiday decorating with Janch’s solar icicle lights, perfect for hanging off your roof trim or strung above your porch. The lights come in warm white or multicolored, and feature eight light modes, including a dimming option, which you can control via a remote.

All photos are taken from manufacturer pages.

Solar is a great way to light up your home for Christmas, but it can do so much more. If your New Year's resolution involves cutting down on your carbon footprint, check out our guide to home solar. If you're a renter or unable to install solar on your property, learn more at the EnergySage Community Solar Marketplace.