Seattle is a city that is known for its rain and cloudy weather. So, many people may wonder if solar lights are worth it in this, or other cities known for cloudy and rainy weather. So, I put this article together and asked a few residents they key question, do solar lights work in Seattle?
In general, solar lights will work in Seattle just as well as they work in any other city. Residents of Seattle just need to be mindful of a few things when it comes to solar lights and Seattle weather, such as making sure to take advantage of as much sun exposure as possible.
Seattle has overcast skies 308 days out of the year…that’s roughly 84% of the year. This means that, even though outdoor solar lighting will work fine, there are a few things to be mindful of to make sure you get the most out of them:
- Make sure your solar lights are placed in an area that gets direct sunlight for at least six hours a day. This will ensure that the batteries have enough time to charge.
- If you live in an area of Seattle that is particularly shady, consider getting solar lights with higher lumen output or installing more solar lights to make up for the lack of direct sunlight.
- You can opt for solar powered lights that connect to a solar panel rather than the models that have built in panels. The separate solar panels is usually a bit bigger and can be moved away from the lights to ensure prime sun filled locations.
Solar lights rely on the sun to power them and store that energy in batteries. So, as long as there is some sun…even if it’s behind clouds…the lights will charge. Seattle residents may not get as much direct sunlight as people who live in sunnier states, but there is still enough light for the solar lights to work well.
In addition, Seattle’s rainy weather is actually not a bad thing for solar lights since it can help clean the solar panels which helps them work more efficiently. So, Seattle residents don’t need to worry about their solar lights not working properly because of the rain.
Is It Worth Buying Solar Lights If I Live In Seattle
Solar lights are a great investment for Seattle residents. They will work just as well as they do in other cities, but they can actually help to save money on your energy bill. Solar lights are easy to setup and maintain, and are the perfect way to light up pathways or transform your backyard.
Seattle resident or not, solar lighting for your pathways or backyard can offer the perfect aesthetic to suit your style. They setup very quickly and require little to no maintenance. Here are a few great reasons to consider solar powered lighting for your yard:
- They provide a great source of light without the hassle of cords or wiring.
- They are very versatile and can be placed just about anywhere.
- You can change your backyards look by simply adding, subtracting, or rearranging your lighting.
- They are environmentally friendly and help you save money on your energy bill.
- They last a long time…up to 12 years in some cases.
- They are easy to maintain…just clean the solar panel from time to time.
- They can provide safety lighting for deck and patio steps.
- They can be added to fencing to provide extra lighting and security around the perimeter of your yard.
No matter where you live, solar lights are a great way to light up your yard or pathways. Seattle residents can rest assured that their solar lights will work just as well as they do in any other city. So, go ahead and enjoy the beauty of solar lighting without worry.
Other Considerations
We’ve established that Seattle gets quite a bit of rain and cloud cover but that should not deter you from considering solar powered outdoor or pathway lighting. Still, there are a few other things…separate from the lighting…that you can do to help squeeze just a bit more power from your lighting:
- Keep your lawn fairly short, say about three inches. This will allow more sun to reach the solar panels on the lights.
- Mow your lawn every 5-7 days.
- Remove any debris, such as leaves, dead grass, or branches, that may be blocking the sunlight from reaching the solar panel.
- Make sure the solar panel is facing the sun. This may seem like a no-brainer, but sometimes the solar panel can become obstructed by debris or simply moved out of position.
- If you’re using solar lights that attach to a separate solar panel, consider mounting it to your fence or deck railing.
While Seattle doesn’t have particularly snowy winter, the stuff has been known to fall from time to time. Not to worry though, solar lights work just fine in snowy conditions…just make sure to keep the solar panels on top clear of snow and ice.