Congratulations on your decision to go green with solar lighting! Used properly, solar fixtures help the environment and save you money. You'll see the most benefits during late spring, early fall and summer when the sun's light is strongest, but there are easy things you can do to get the most out of your investment year-round. The tips below take less time than changing a traditional electric bulb!

You Just Got a New Solar Light. What Should You Do?

Read the product instructions before assembling or installing your solar lights. You ultimately will save time and make sure that you don't unintentionally damage your purchase. Save the instructions for reference down the road!

Charge the fixtures for two sunny days before use, setting the on/off switch to "OFF". If there is no switch, place the product in a sunny area in the morning and take it in at night before for two days.

A properly positioned solar panel makes the difference between a happy and an unhappy solar light user. Place solar lights where they will receive the most possible sunlight throughout the day.

Shadows from houses, trees and other structures will move and lengthen during the day, making solar lights less efficient. However, an area with strong sunlight for four or five hours a day should be okay with high quality solar fixtures.

Place your solar light where there is not already illumination from another source, such as a street light. Solar lights have sensors to automatically light up at dusk. The sensor will think it is daytime if it sees light from other fixtures.

For solar fixture requiring significant effort to install (such as a lamp post), follow the above steps. Then, place the lamp head where you'd plan on installing it beforehand to make sure you've picked a good spot.

Hold On...They Still Don't Work!

If your solar light doesn't turn on at night, double-check the above pointers then try the following easy fixes:

Make sure switches are in the "ON" position.

Check that the batteries are installed correctly -- one reason to save installation instructions.

Move the light to an area where there is less shade during the day.

If the light still doesn't work, contact the seller for advice including returning the product. Keep the packaging until you know the light works; few online or brick and mortar sellers will accept returns without original packaging.

Position Solar Panels for the Seasons

To get the most from your solar lights, adjust any movable solar panel throughout the year.

Summer:The solar panel should be in a flat position or place at a 15 degree angle. Think of the hour hand of a clock: flat would be 9:00; 15 degrees would be 9:30.

Fall and Spring:The solar panel should be at a 45 degree angle. On a clock, this would be about 10:00.

Winter: Place the panel at a 75 to 80 degree angle, or at about 11:00.

Special Tips for Spring and Fall

Make sure falling leaves or blowing leaves do not not cover the solar panel. You may want to remove some accent lights before fall clean-up and put them back after spring clean-up to avoid damaged by rakes and blowers, and to avoid being stricken by plows or shovels during the winter.

In the spring, clean your solar lights and solar panels with a cotton ball DAMPENED with alcohol or vinegar.

Wintertime Hints

Keep snow cleared off the solar panels so the batteries can recharge. If the lighting fixtures are covered with snow for an extended period of time, let the solar panels charge in full sunlight for at least 6 hours after the thaw.

By following the above tips, you'll benefit from solar lighting year-round -- while helping the environment and saving yourself some cash.