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Do Solar Lights Work When It’s Raining?

This summer, the UK chalked up one of the wettest Julys in history with average rainfall of 140.1mm across the country. So, it’s no surprise that one of the primary concerns for British people who are considering installing solar lights is whether they will work when it’s raining.

In other parts of the world, there have been different challenges. Some European countries recording their hottest summer ever in 2023, with temperatures soaring to 40 degrees plus.

Solar – a reliable alternative to mains-powered lighting?

Rising energy prices and growing environmental concerns are leading more of us to seek cleaner, greener energy. But, how practical are solar lights in commercial and domestic settings? Can they withstand extremes of temperature or extended periods of cloud and rain? And are they really a reliable alternative to mains-powered lighting?

We put these questions to Thobani Dube, founder and Managing Director of Synergy Solar Lights. He told us…

Whether you are installing solar streetlighting across an entire city or fitting a simple exterior wall light in your home, you need to be confident that it will continue to function effectively even if the sun doesn’t shine. I live in the UK and we have significantly lower levels of sunshine than other parts of Europe. You may have seen on the news this summer that, while we experienced endless days of cloudy, rainy weather, in places like Greece, Spain and Italy temperatures rose to some of the highest ever recorded.

Intelligent new technologies

The good news is that the new generation of solar lighting has been designed to cope with both rainy days and extremes of temperature.

We’ve spent the last eight years researching and developing intelligent new technologies that make solar lighting more reliable, durable and efficient than ever before.

Our ALS2.3 technology has been developed to compensate for periods of lower sunlight so the lights continue to function when it’s cloudy or rainy. ALS2.3 senses when there is limited sunlight and automatically adjusts the output, extending lighting time from seven days to 12 until the solar battery can be fully recharged again.

Ideal for cooler, cloudier climates

It is actually a misconception that solar cells require hours of endless sunshine to charge properly. They don’t. Cooler, cloudier conditions are less damaging to solar cells than hot sunny weather, which is why we tell people not to worry if they live in a place that sees a lot of rain and cloud – their solar lights will perform just as well as someone living in a sunny country.

Able to withstand temperature extremes

And, as extremes temperatures are becoming increasingly common across the world, it is reassuring to know that Synergy Solar Lights contain TCS technology which ensures that the battery can function effectively in temperatures ranging from as low as minus 20 up to 60 degrees Celsius.

High quality

We use high quality mono crystalline solar cells, which are some of the most efficient on the market – typically 15-20% more efficient, generating more power per square foot. Our lithium ion batteries charge faster and last longer.

If you have any questions about solar lighting – from how well it performs to which lights are the best for your particular situation - please contact our sales team for advice.