The 8 Best Solar Street Lights In 2024

Solar street lights fitted with LED lamps are the best way to illuminate your outdoor space

Have you ever wondered why the best solar street lights and lighting kits never go out of demand? 

Well, that’s for a simple reason, i.e., the idea to illuminate outdoor spaces, both public and private, more efficiently. 

You see, a solar-powered street lamp offers more than free-of-charge lighting, as its benefits include easy off-the-grid installation, low maintenance, a quick payback period, and more. Also, it goes without saying that there is no other lighting solution that can match the sustainability features of a solar lamp. 

So it isn’t surprising why the global market for solar lighting is valued at 9 billion dollars and growing. 

Coming to street lighting, there has never been a better time to switch to solar than now, thanks to the lucrative solar rebates and tax benefits. 

Now, if you’re wondering how you can make the most out of solar lighting solutions for your street lighting needs, we’ve compiled the best solar street lamps on the market. In our review, we’ve factored in affordability, illumination, capacity, longevity, etc., picking ones that offer a mix of all these features. 

So let’s dive right in and have a look. 

The best solar-powered street lights:

1. SolPol solar street lights (best overall) 

The SolPol solar street lights represent a German engineering marvel designed to meet American outdoor lighting requirements. So it isn’t surprising why they’ve made it to the top of our list. 

In fact, the SolPol street light modules are indeed the most unique of all lighting systems on our list, thanks to their compatibility with both solar and wind energy. 

How, you might wonder? 

You see, while these street lamps are primarily solar-powered, they also have a built-in mechanism that allows you to install a vertical-axis wind turbine. Meaning even if there’s no sunshine for days or weeks, you can still power up the street lights. 

Coming to its solar aspect, the SolPol lights don’t have any separate solar panels in their lighting package. Instead, they’ve PV panels wrapped around the lighting pole itself. This not only makes the solar panels wind resistant but also eases the installation process. 

Want more? 

Each of the SolPol solar street lamps is GPRS powered, which allows operators to control the lights from far-off locations. Also, the GPRS trackers can keep track of the electrical components and notify the operators of any electrical failure. 

Bonus: a typical SolPol lamp is equipped with lithium LiFePO4 batteries and the best-in-line PV cells with a combined longevity exceeding 30 years. 

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2. RuoKid solar street lights 80W unit (second best) 

There’s a reason why solar street lights from RuoKid have made it as number two on our list. And that is their impeccable quality and features, along with the amazing reviews they’ve received across e-comm platforms. 

To start with, each of the RuoKid solar lighting packages includes a standalone street lamp equipped with 84 LEDs, which together can create 1500 lumens of brightness. 

In fact, the lumens generated by the lamp are sufficient to illuminate an area of up to 90 square meters. Meaning apart from regular street-side lighting, it is also apt for open spaces such as parking lots, gardens, yards, etc. 

Talking about battery capacity, the RuoKid solar lighting units have a 6000 mAh battery that can easily keep the lights running for more than 24 hours on a single charge. Also, the battery doesn’t take more than 4 hours to charge completely, thanks to the high-quality solar panels. 

What sets a RuoKid solar street light apart from many of its counterparts is a built-in automatic on/off feature. This minimizes manual intervention as the lighting system automatically turns on during dusk and turns off at dawn. 

Add to it the fact that each of the lighting units has an IP67 waterproof rating and is backed by a 5-year manufacturer warranty, and you’ve got the perfect lighting solution. 

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3. NACINIC solar-powered LED street lights with motion sensors

As yet another innovative solar street lighting solution, we have the NACINIC solar flood lights equipped with state-of-the-art motion sensors.  

While the previous two lighting systems are meant to illuminate an area at a certain brightness from dawn to dusk, that’s not the case here. Rather, the powerful motion sensors on a NACINIC flood light can detect any motion up to 15 feet away and turn the lights to full intensity. 

And this makes these solar-power flood lamps perfect for enhancing security not only on commercial and residential properties but also on critical installations. 

Not to mention, you can also keep the lamps at low intensity at all times worry-free, saving big time on energy costs. 

Now coming down to its technical aspects, each of the NACINIC solar LED flood lights is powered by a 2200 mAh battery. Also, each lamp can individually create 650 lumens of illumination at an angle of 270 degrees. 

Furthermore, the lamps are IP65 rated, meaning you can rest assured of protection against dust and water-induced damages. 

Note: if you’re looking for a solar lamp to work at full intensity from dusk to dawn, this might not be your ideal solution. That’s because the 2200 mAh battery can only keep the lamp running for about 4 hours at its capacity. 

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4. Solar street lights from Erifyng (best in the affordable category) 

An outdoor lighting solution need not be an expensive investment. Take the Erifyng solar street lamps, for instance. 

Contrary to the assumption that street lights are pricey, these solar-powered street lighting systems are actually quite affordable. 

But don’t let its price set your perspective, as these solar lamps are quite featureful despite the low price tag. 

Here are some of the features that appeal to all buyers notwithstanding their budget: 

• First, this is an 80-watt LED lamp with a total of 84 LEDs, which can together produce a 2000 lumens brightness. Meaning these are the best solar-powered street lights in terms of brightness and 
• Second, Erifyng solar light modules are powered by a 6000 mAh battery that doesn’t take more than 8 hours to charge up fully. Also, they can keep illuminating an area for more than 15 hours on a single charge. 
• Third, apart from an automatic on/off feature, these street lights also have a remote-operated timer that allows you to set a duration of lighting. 
• Fourth, the lamps have an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, which again is the best in its class. 
• Fifth, unlike most street lamps that are solely designed for pole installations, you can mount the Erifyng solar lamps on both walls and poles. 

You can ask for more in a budget street light, right? 

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5. eLEDing self-contained solar flood lights (easy on the eyes)

Our hunt for comparing the solar lighting solutions out there and bringing the best solar street lights to you has brought us to the eLEDing solar flood lights. 

This is a one-of-a-kind street light both in terms of design and the way it illuminates outdoor spaces. 

To begin with, these solar-powered flood lights feature a wide circular design, which is quite unique when compared to both solar and conventional street lamps. And once you factor in the way these lights illuminate an area, you’ll realize that it’s a very clever design. 

You see, these flood lights are faced straight toward the ground to directly illuminate the area beneath. As such, there’s no way these lamps would shine light into your eyes even though they effectively illuminate the area around you. 

Further, just like their counterparts from NACINIC, the eLEDing solar street lights also offer two lighting modes, namely dusk to dawn and motion sensor-based lighting. 

However, like the NACINIC solar lights, the batteries for eLEDing lamps also run out after about 4 hours of operation at full brightness. And that’s despite the fact that the LEDs don’t produce more than 500 lumens of light. 

So if you decide to install these flood lights, we suggest you keep the brightness low. More so since the built-in motion sensors are quite proactive and can ensure optimum lighting. 

Note: roadside lighting installations call for dusk to dawn illumination, and motion sensor-based lighting isn’t ideal for such conditions. 

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6. TENKOO solar street lights

Another solar lighting solution that made its way to our list is the TENKOO LED solar street lights. And although branded as a mid-range street light, these are arguably the best solar street lights on a budget. 

In fact, some reviews have even termed them as the best outdoor solar street lights. 

But what’s so special about these street lamps?  

Well, the mainstay of the TENKOO street lights is a powerful 200W LED lamp powered by a total of 364 LEDs. And this creates a lighting of roughly 8000 lumens (or more). 

Not to mention, these lights are equipped with both motion and light detection sensors, making the system apt for street installations. 

Coming to the battery, the solar lights from TENKOO are powered by a whopping 24000 mAh battery. And that’s sufficient to keep the lights running at full brightness for over 16 hours on a single 6 to 8-hour charge. 

Interestingly, these lighting modules also have adjustable solar panels to maximize solar energy production, a first in this class of lighting. 

Factor in an IP66 rating and a three-year-long warranty cover, and you’ve got the best solar street light for all outdoor lighting needs. 

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7. Solar street flood lights from ECO-WORTHY

As a cost-effect counterpart to the TENKOO solar street lights, we bring you the ECO-WORTHY LED street flood lights. Moreover, if you’re looking for outdoor illumination on a shoestring budget, then this should be your go-to option. 

While these solar flood lights don’t match their counterparts from TENKOO in terms of features, they still offer a pretty decent brightness and backup. 

For instance, these lamps produce up to 2700 lumens of light, which is enough to sufficiently illuminate a large area. 

Also, the lighting system includes a high-capacity battery that can keep the lights on for straight up to 35 hours. In fact, with smart motion sensors and multiple timer options, you can rest accrued of effective outdoor illumination even if there’s no sunshine for days.

On the downside, however, installing this solar street lighting module can be a task. That’s because the light pole is quite bulky and calls for a firm base for reliable installation.  

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8. Gebosun solar flood light

Continuing with budget-friendly options, we’ve got the Gebosun solar flood lights, which made it to our list thanks to its rather unique technology. 

This solar street light uses a pro double MPPT core technology, which is known to be 50 to 70 times more efficient than those used by other street lighting solutions. 

Take into account its 12000 MAh lithium-ion battery, and you can run a street light for more than 60 hours. 

Talking about installation, the lamp poles and solar lamps from Gebosun are simple to install, given their lighter weight. Also, the manufacturer provides all essential installation accessories and manuals in the lighting package, making the installation process hassle-free. 

Nevertheless, the LEDs in this lighting system aren’t as bright as others on the list, restricting its application to homes and residential properties. 

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You may also want to read – Light Pole Installation: A Step-by-step Guide. 

Pro tips to pick the best solar street lights 

When it comes to installing the best solar street light, a one-size-fits-all approach can never be the ideal solution. Meaning you’ll have to factor in your own requirements before buying a lighting system. 

For instance, you’ve got to consider brightness, charge time, battery backup, etc., that’ll cover your needs. 

Here are some important considerations that can help you buy a solar street light like a pro: 

Tip 1. Brightness levels and area of coverage should be factored

The first thing that you should calculate before shopping for a solar-powered LED light is how bright you need the lamp to be. And you can do so by taking into account the area you need to illuminate. 

The brightness levels are measured in lumens, and for street lights, it can range anywhere from 500 lumens to upward of 10000 lumens. Herein, while 500 lumens LED is apt for alleys, yards, residential parking, etc., a 10000 lumens LED light will come in handy at high-security installations, major roads, etc. 

You can find the lumens mentioned clearly in the lamp’s product description, along with wattage, estimated hours of lifespan, etc. 

Second, how wide the light beams also determine the level of brightness, so it’s important to have a look at the coverage. 

For instance, a typical LED flood light can beam an outward light in an arc of 50-250 degrees. Now, while coverage of 50 degrees is apt for a neighborhood street, 250 degrees of coverage can light up an entire landscape. 

Tip 2. Choose between motion detectors vs. auto on/off based on practical considerations 

A lot of solar lighting manufacturers boast of an in-built motion detector and its usefulness. In fact, most of the lights on our list are equipped with top-notch motion detectors. 

But do they fare better over the auto on/off feature? 

Well. the motion detectors vs. auto on/off feature is more about utility, with both serving their own purpose. 

For instance, motion detectors come in handy in terms of security since they detect the slightest motion from up to 15 feet away. Also, they help you save up on energy since you can keep the lights dim without compromising on security. 

However, when it comes to illuminating streets, alleys, or pathways, you need uninterrupted dusk to dawn illumination, which is possible only with an auto on/off feature. Meaning the motion sensors don’t have much utility here. 

Tip 3. Go for a high-capacity battery 

The battery capacity for a solar street lamp can be anywhere between 2500 mAh and 15000 mAh. And when choosing a battery, we suggest you go for one with the highest mAh. 

Why? 

Well, there can be days when there’s no sunshine at all. And in such situations, a high-capacity battery will ensure your exterior space is well-lit at night time. 

Tip 4. Charging and operation time is key 

The total time your battery takes to charge entirely from zero is a crucial consideration. That’s because it might not be as bright and sunny throughout the day, and a quick charge time will ensure your outdoor lighting isn’t impacted by weather changes. 

Similarly, your battery should be able to support long hours of operation with a 12-hour uninterrupted operation on dusk to dawn lighting as a bare minimum. 

You see, even though motion sensors have reduced the requirement for a long running time at high illumination, there are places where you still need dusk to dawn lighting capacity. 

Tip 5. The higher the IP rating the better 

An IP rating is a standard for a lighting system’s resistance to water, dust, dander, etc., with a higher IP rating denoting better resistance. 

We suggest you go for solar lamps with ratings between IP66 and IP69. 

Tip 6. LED lighting is a must-have 

As you might already be aware, LED lights are not only the brightest but also the most efficient of all lighting systems. So there’s no better way to make the most out of solar energy than with LED lights. 

You may also want to read – DIY Solar Panel Installation: A Complete Guide. 

The best solar street lights: FAQs 

FAQ 1. What is the best solar street light on the market? 

Well, as we discussed earlier, there’s not a single standard for the best outdoor solar street lights. 

Nevertheless, if you’re looking for the best all-in-one solar street light, you can definitely consider the SolPol and TENKOO solar street lights. 

FAQ 2. How long can a solar street light last you? 

A solar lamp with LED lighting will easily have an illumination of over 50000 hours. Also, good quality solar panels can last you easily for two decades. 

The batteries, too, can last for more than 10 years depending on build quality, maintenance, usage, etc. 

FAQ 3. Will solar lights work on cloudy days? 

Yes, they will. 

Solar panels are capable of generating energy even on cloudy days, meaning the batteries will charge up. However, you might notice a reduced rate of charging on a cloudy day as compared to a bright sunny day. 

You may also want to read – The Best Residential Solar Energy Solutions.