Although string lighting is often cheaper, I prefer solar lights because they are easy to install and involve no wiring or electrical precautions. Installation consists of deciding your style and placing them on or inserting them in the ground. The obvious advantage to solar garden lights is they use no electricity and save you money.
The only cons (edit: 1 more added below) to solar lighting I can think of is if you get a defective older model that doesn’t have a working charger (if you need a new charger, you won’t know it until you buy replacement batteries). Another detractor is you will need to be conscious of dirty solar panels. If a panel gets too much dust, dirt, mud, or grime, this will prevent an adequate charge and result in uneven outdoor or garden lighting.
How does outdoor solar lighting work?
Solar lights obviously draw their power from the sun during the day. At night, this stored energy is able to be used to power the lights and brighten up the backyard. The stored energy comes from a solar panel connected to an electronic circuit, which charges up the batteries so the light can light up during the night. The automatic switch from on to off comes when the sun sets. A photocell can read the difference in luminosity when night sets in and then turn the light on using the stored electricity. In a similar way, the garden light will turn off around or about dawn.
As long as their is adequate sunlight during the day and there is no defect in the battery charger, your solar lights will light up throughout the night with no waver in brightness level. Solar lights usually rely on NiCad or NiMH batteries which can easily replaced and should last 2-3 years which is a really good life span among replaceable solar light batteries. Newer solar lighting will require Light Emitting Diodes or “LED” technology. These more modern components don’t use as much energy so they’ll keep lights brighter for longer.
The other downside to solar garden lights that I forgot to mention at top is they aren’t very bright due to their power conservation qualities. Although practical in nature, outdoor solar lighting should be seen as offering more of a aesthetic, soft atmosphere. Add to the beauty, by strategically placing lights in the backyard. If you do need brighter lights in your backyard, go for high voltage string bulbs or use flood lights to complement your sun powered lights.