Here, we hope to advise on how to install and look after your solar lights in order to achieve the best possible performance. In order to do so, we first need to understand the four essential components that solar lights need to function:

1. A rechargeable battery to store power generated from the sun
2. A small photovoltaic cell or solar panel – captures sunlight during the day to convert to electrical energy – the panel needs to face the sunlight.
3. Charge controller – ensures the batteries are not overcharged in bright sunlight, monitors the amount of light in the surrounding area and turns the LED on/off.
4. LEDs to provide the light

Installing solar lights too close to other outdoor or street lights.
In this case the solar lights will mistakenly believe that it's still daytime and will not function.

Positioning the solar lights in a location where sunlight is limited.
Ideally lights should be installed so that they receive direct sunlight throughout the day.

Allowing obstacles to block sunlight.
Anything that can block sunlight will limit the charge the solar panel receives - trees, bushes, clothing on a washing line and even glass as solar items cannot fully charge through glass (so take them out of the conservatory or greenhouse, folks).

Using regular alkaline batteries instead of rechargeable solar batteries.
This can be useful for testing when troubleshooting solar lights, but long term use of alkaline batteries could corrode the battery terminal and destroy the connection between the terminal and battery itself.

A nickel-metal hydride batteries (NiMH) will have up to three times more capacity than the same size Nickel-cadmium (NiCd) battery, meaning they are capable of lasting longer and are more reliable.

NiMH batteries in your solar lights may cost a little extra, but they are more environmentally friendly than NiCd batteries. NiMH batteries are more environmentally friendly because they use a dry liquid, which can be disposed of more easily. They will also withstand greater temperature fluctuations, operating in temperatures ranging from -20 to 60 degrees Celsius (-4 to 140F). Ni-MH batteries have a “non-memory effect” which means they will continue to charge on cloudy days. The battery performance will not be diminished by these partial charges, as with what can occur with lead acid batteries.