Solar Power Blog
Solar Fence Lights: Easy, Renewable, and Bright
Today, solar fence lights are great If you’d like to add some illumination to your outdoor living space, but do not want to add any extra electricity costs to your home. Although they may not add as much light (or halt as many intruders) as solar powered security lights, solar fence lights are great for creating a welcoming environment powered by clean, sustainable energy.
For the past few years, solar fence lights have been steadily growing in popularity. As solar advocates, we couldn’t be more excited! For this reason, we’ve put together this article which explores the benefits of solar post lights before identifying the best solar fence lights for any outdoor living space.
What are Solar Fence Lights?
Solar fence lights can be called a number of different names: Solar lights for fences, solar post lights, solar light for fence post caps, etc. In fact, any solar powered light that is adhered to a fence can essentially be called a solar fence light.
With that being said, there are many specifically manufactured solar fence lights that are designed to function as a standalone illumination system to be installed on a fence, deck, or any other raised, outdoor post. Solar fence lights have been around for decades, but reductions in the cost of solar energy technology has caused a huge surge for affordable solar post lights to appear across the globe.
Why do People Love Solar Lights For Fence Posts?
As an easy and cheap way to light up a front or backyard, solar fence lights have taken the world by storm. In addition to holiday lights and outdoor lanterns, solar lights for fence posts are a part of our best Garden Landscape Ideas with Solar Power.
Although there is a lot to love here, most people choose solar fence lights for the following reasons:
- Incredibly Easy to Install
- No Added Power Bill To Run
- Environmentally Friendly
- Adding a Little or A Lot of Light to an Outdoor Area
- Added Sense of Perimeter Security
- No Maintenance, Automatically Turn on in the Evening
- Creating a Safe and Well-Lit Outdoor Living Space
How to Install Solar Fence Lights
Solar fence lights are extremely easy to install. In fact, many models are able to be safely and securely installed without having to call in a contractor. The process is simple and can usually be achieved through these steps:
- Identify the proper location (at least 5 hours of direct sunlight per day)
- Consult the literature included in the purchase of your solar fence lights.
- Mark and drill the holes down into your fence post that align with your lights
- Mount the lights and fasten the screws or bonding agent
- Sit back and let the sun do the rest of the work.
Essentially, you do not need to be a landscaper or a carpenter to install solar fence lights. Most solar lights for fence post caps are designed to be lightweight and easy to install. Once they are secured in place, solar fence lights require very little, if any, upkeep in order to operate properly.
How to Choose the Right Solar Fence Lights
Solar fence lights are all largely built to serve the same purpose: evening illumination powered by the day’s sunlight. With that said, there are many factors that attribute to determining the best solar fence lights for any particular circumstances. More than anything, solar fence post lights should be chosen based on:
- The Style of Fence in the Yard
- The Style of the Light Itself
- Lumens / Brightness
- Budget
- Quantity Discounts and more.
Thankfully, there is not much technical decision making when it comes to choosing the right solar fence lights. Instead, adding solar post lights to your fence is largely determined by the aesthetics and materials that create a pleasant looking solution.
Once you’ve landed on the style for your lights, then the rest is really up to your budget. If you are adding a significant amount of lighting to your outdoor area, then you may be able to find quality discounts for purchase of many solar fence lights.
What are the Best Solar Fence Lights?
It can be hard to determine the best solar fence lights for your outdoor space, especially as there are literally hundreds of different brands and models available. To make it easy for you, we’ve put together this short list of solar fence lights that are sure to appease any budget or stylistic preferences. Below, you will find our expert recommendations for the best solar lights for outdoor fencing.
Imperial Solar Fence Post Caps
To start, the Imperial Solar Powered Fence Caps have everything you need and more for solar lights on fence posts. The Imperial is made of rugged cast aluminum that is built to withstand the harshest weather conditions. On top of that, the powdered coated finish will keep these solar fence post caps looking brand new.
The Imperial design is subtle, but wide and flat enough to accommodate a small solar panel that keeps the LED lights shining for up to 10 hours per night. Plus, there is a model for every kind of fence available with the Imperial style as it is available in 3 colors and sizes.
Key Features:
- Available in black, white, and bronze
- Stay lit for up to 10 hours
- 3 High Output LED lights
- Rugged and Subtle
- Comes in 2.5x2.5", 4x4", or 5x5" dimensions
Bottom Line: The Imperial Solar Powered Fence Caps combine style, customization and performance to create some of the best solar fence lights available today.
Fairmount Solar Powered Post Caps
Next up, the Fairmont Solar Powered Post Cap is slightly more affordable than Imperial, but with an added style that may fit some particularly styled gardens. The Fairmont solar powered post cap contains 4 sides of real pebbled glass that create a nice, diluted light effect around their immediate vicinity.
Available in both black and white, the Fairmont model can display its 2 high powered LEDs on top of 5x5”, 4x4 “ or 3.5x3.5 “ fence posts with the included adapter. As a bonus, one long life AA Ni-Mh rechargeable battery is also included.
Key Features:
- Adapts to 5x5”, 4x4 “ or 3.5x3.5” fence posts
- Made with real marble glass
- Up to 10 hours of light each night
- Available in black and white
Bottom Line: The Fairmont Solar Powered Post Cap is great anyone who would like the aesthetics of of soft, marbled light on a solar powered fence post.
Classy PVC Solar Powered Post Caps
For PVC fences, homeowners will want to consider the Classy PVC Solar Powered Post Caps for their automatic sun-powered lighting solution. In truth, a PVC fence may look ridiculous with any other material stuck on top of it, so these solar lights from Classy Caps are essentially here to save the day. These solar powered post caps work perfectly on PVC decks, patios, balconies, or perimeter fences.
The Classy PVC post caps come in both tan and white colorings. They are designed to fit over standard 4x4” fence posts. The high-powered LEDs face downwards, giving off a cool lighting effect that lasts for up to 12 hours. Additionally, every purchase comes with 2 long life AA Ni-MH rechargeable batteries.
Key Features:
- Available in white and tan
- Long lasting: up to 12 hours!
- Downward LED lights on all sides
- Made for all standard PVC fences
Bottom Line: If you’re looking to add some solar powered lights to your PVC fence, then there is no better choice than Classy PVC Solar Powered Post Caps.
Summit Solar Chain Link Fence Caps
Lastly, we would like to highlight one of the most adaptable solar fence lights on the market: the Summit Solar Chain Link Fence Cap by Classy Caps. From the same company that brought you the PVC fence lights, these unique, domed Summit lights are designed to be easily installed on the posts of a chain link fence. They are available in both silver and black.
What’s really important here is that the Summit caps are available in 6 different diameters: 3", 2 7/8", 2 1/2", 2 3/8", 2", 1 7/8". With this in mind, it would be hard to find a chain link fence that these solar lights could not compliment. On top of that, these 5 lumen lights are incredibly affordable at nearly half the price of most other solar fence lights on the market.
Key Features:
- Very affordable option
- Comes in 6 different diameters
- Unique and appeal dome-shape
- Easy DIY installation
Bottom Line: For chain link fences of all shapes and sizes, the Summit Solar Chain Link Fence Cap by Classy Caps is a great way to add a bit of light atop the posts.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, solar fence lights are a great way to add a bit of light to your outdoor living space without any additional cost or maintenance necessary. Whether you are outfitting your deck or simply adding a bit of security and ambiance to your property, solar fence lights are an environmentally-friendly way to illuminate an area.
In addition to a few product recommendations, we hope that this article has helped you understand the benefits of solar fence lights. For more information, feel free to check out all of the available solar fence lighting options in the Solar Us Shop.
