As I recently prepared for the possibility of a power outage, I yet again dug out my old lights—but when someone recommended I try solar lights, I was blown away by just how much better lights have become.
Say Goodbye to Disposable Batteries
When many of us need light in a pinch, we just use the LED light on our phones. If that’s not cutting it, I wouldn’t be surprised if you, like me, instead picture a flashlight that takes in disposable batteries.
Modern solar lights don’t have disposable batteries. They have rechargeable lithium-ion packs that you juice up by leaving the flashlight in the sun. This alone makes them worth picking up.
Solar lights are small, and anything with a tiny solar panel doesn’t recharge quickly. Yet this is okay for lights. During the day, when there is sunlight, I don’t need them. I can leave them outside for eight hours and know they’re ready for a full night’s use by the time darkness falls.
Solar Lights Come in Many Forms
My colleague specifically recommended that I consider Luci solar lights. The company makes many types, but I was told to get the inflatable lights with solar panels on the bottom. A few deep breaths fill them up. When it’s time to charge them, you deflate them and place them upside down.
There are many varieties of these. Some have clear white light. There’s a dimmer yellow version that flickers like a candle. There’s a non-inflatable Luci light with a long bendable tail you can hang from things or wrap around your wrist. This one is my favorite.
With some searching, you can find solar power lights shaped like conventional flashlights. You can find solar-powered lanterns that you carry around by a handle. There are solar power string lights that you can hang up around your home or a tent.
Infinitely Renewable Power During an Outage
My house gets direct sun, and I can charge my portable solar lights best by placing them out on the porch. It’s also fine to place them by a window, especially if I know I won’t be using them in the next few days. They’ll charge more slowly, but they’ll still be charged on time.
When imagining how to make it through an emergency situation, I like to rely on renewable energy. This way, I’m not dependent on rushing to the store beforehand and hoping they are in stock with what I need. I’m not relying on the roads being clear and the stores staying open in order for my lights to continue to work.
With solar lights, I can plan out my usage indefinitely. Charge them during the day and use them at night. If there’s a string of cloudy days ahead, then I can use them a bit more sparingly.
For such situations, make sure to have a few USB rechargeable flashlights around as a backup and some portable battery banks that can recharge them. The same battery banks you use for travel will do.
Lightweight and Portable for Camping and Trips
Like flashlights in general, solar-powered lights tend to be small and easy to carry. Many solar lights are designed specifically for campers. They’re intended to easily fit in a backpack without taking up much space or adding a bunch of weight.
The inflatable Luci lights are excellent for this. You can keep them deflated during the day and even tuck them away in a pocket if you know they’re fully charged.
My preferred solar lights are easy to hook to a strap on a bag or dangle from a pole in a camping tent. Even larger lantern-type lamps are smaller than many of the heavy-duty flashlights you find that guzzle up large D batteries.
Solar lights may not be as exciting as modular smart lights or light-up curtains, but they’re immensely practical. You’ll be glad you have them around.
