Solar lights are simple to install, and a little placement planning makes them noticeably more effective.
Match the light to the job
Decide what each light is for before choosing it. Marking a path edge, showing off a feature tree, and lighting a doorway are different jobs that suit different styles and brightness levels. Read the product details for panel and brightness information rather than judging from photos, and choose the light that fits the job you actually have.
Give the panel direct sun
A solar panel charges best with clear, direct daylight. Spots under dense trees, eaves or fences may spend much of the day in shade, which limits charging. Check where shadows fall across your garden at different times of day, and remember the sun sits lower in winter. Panels also collect dust and pollen, so plan to wipe them occasionally.
Position for effect and footing
For paths and steps, place lights so they mark the edges clearly without sitting where feet, mowers or wheelbarrows travel. For feature lighting, try a few positions after dark before fixing anything permanently, since small changes in angle make a big difference. Keep fittings clear of mulch piles and overhanging plants that can shade or knock them.
Keep expectations realistic
Brightness and hours of light depend on the charge the panel received that day. Overcast stretches and shorter winter days usually mean shorter runtime at night. Follow the maker's guidance on batteries and care, and treat any stated runtime as the maker's tested figure under their conditions rather than a guarantee for every night of the year.
Check the details before ordering
Read the dimensions, panel and battery type, and the maker's stated runtime and care instructions before you buy. Check what is included in the box and whether spare batteries or parts are listed. A smaller set placed well usually looks better than a large set placed in a hurry, so plan positions first and order to suit.
Image credit: Photo by Fotografia Lui Vlad (@fotografialuivlad) on Unsplash, free to use under the Unsplash License. https://unsplash.com/photos/6ZU-pdtdelE