Figuring out my yard lights: go solar or run wires?

I put in solar path lights last year, and most went dim within months, even with full sun. Running buried wire for low voltage lights seems like a big job, needing trenches and safe connections. Friends say wired lights are a pain to install but worth it for bright nights all season, while solar is hit or miss. Which way would you go for a DIY setup?

3 comments

3 Comments

jackson.wren28d ago

Your solar lights went dim in just months? That's wild because even the cheap ones usually hold up longer. Solar is so unreliable with batteries dying and clouds ruining the charge. Wired lights are a pain to install with trenching and all, but they work every night without fail. You'll get bright light all season long, not just when the sun feels like it. I would dig the trenches and run the wires for a permanent fix. It's more work upfront but you won't regret it when your yard is lit up all summer.

grant.skyler28d agoTop Commenter

Disagree completely. Solar lights have come a long way and are plenty reliable for most yards. You don't have to dig up your whole garden or deal with ugly wires everywhere. Sure, batteries need replacing sometimes, but that's cheap and easy compared to fixing buried wires if they break. Wired lights are a pain to set up and you're stuck with them once they're in. Plus, solar lets you move lights around whenever you want without any hassle.

aliceshah22d ago

Ever notice how people treat their yard lights like a political party they have to pick?