Solar Rope Lights

Solar rope lights are a popular choice for lining driveways, garden paths, and stairs. They are also used as Christmas lights during the holiday season.

Solar rope lights are a string of LED lights encased in a plastic tube.

The plastic covering protects the lights from moisture. The covering also gives them flexibility, allowing the lights to be wrapped around deck railings and other objects.

These lights are also called solar path lights and solar tube lights.

Although these lights are popular during the holiday season, they are different from traditional solar powered Christmas lights. Traditional solar string lights aren't encased in plastic tubing. The exposed LED bulbs can be found in a variety of shapes including butterflies, birds and stars.

Versatility of Solar Rope Lights

Rope lights are becoming increasingly popular because they can be placed almost anywhere. Unlike traditional Christmas lights, they are tangle free and aren't tethered to an outlet.

Rope lights are easy to install and have built in sensors that turn the lights on and off automatically. The clear tubing poses little risk and is typically cool to the touch. The LED bulbs are dependable and have a long life span.

Solar tube lights are usually placed outdoors on windows, decks, patios and doors. Because the flexible tubing makes it easy to line areas, these lights are sometimes referred to as solar path lights or solar driveway lights. They are often used to line sidewalks, swimming pools, stairs and handrails. They can also be used to wrap around trees, mail boxes and any place else you can imagine.

How Solar Rope Lights Work

Like other solar yard lights, rope lights store the sun's energy during the day and use it at night.

While most solar lighting has an individual solar cell for each fixture, solar rope lights use a control board. Each board holds several solar panels. The control board holds the rechargeable battery that releases the sun's energy.

Near dusk, a built-in sensor detects darkness and triggers the light to turn on. Solar rope lights can be placed anywhere, as long as the control board receives direct sunlight.

Shopping Tips

Decide where you want to place your solar string lights. For solar driveway lights and other lined areas, it's best to measure the area first.

If you plan to put rope lights in a shady spot , check for a sunny area to place the control board.

If you are lining a large area or plan to use solar tube lights in several locations, consider buying in bulk. This can save quite a bit of money.

Consider the color you want your rope lights to be. Outdoor solar lights come in many colors including white, amber and blue. Traditional white and amber colors are the most popular; while blue, red and green offer a fun and festive look.

Look for brands that offer a money back guarantee and a warranty.