apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Bed Bath Beyond a few years ago carried some sollar string lights for the eaves of patio umrellas, for $20 each!
and i haven't seen them since...i think they were attractive; kicking myself for not getting several to keep and give as gifts.

I was looking for *exactly* this. Thanks!

They're online on Amazon for 20-30 each.
http://www.amazon.com/Solar-Powered-String-Christmas-Light/dp/B000K3A4XA/ref=sr_1_2/103-0645065-5944663?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1177706140&sr=8-2
Now I just need to find an Instructable on how to make them myself.

No if I could just keep the squirrels from chewing through the wires! Last summer I went through 2 sets of patio lights. I even tried rubbing a scotch bonnet all over the lights. Those damn squirrels didn't care. They chewed right through.

The lights can be convenient where you have no outlets, etc. Yet the current selling prices do not correlate to any real dollar savings versus the typical electric / UL listed lights. Other than some elaborate holiday decorations, who really spends $100- 300 on an electric bill for one month, on decorations alone! Now electric lights using Led bulbs do offer obvious benefits for the environment & your pocket. I am not "sold" on the cost of the solar versions...

One set of 100 bulb Solar Led lights are running $80 & over. Once, I've seen the (100's) listed for about $30 (which is still high -IMO). Typically, what you find are 50-60 bulbs (ONLY 25 Ft long) listed for $20-30 and they get even higher depending on the retailer ( $60 for 60 bulbs,$100 for 100 bulbs), all sorts. They are ripping people off. The technology is over-rated at these price points. FYI- if you do get a set, make sure the back up battery can be removed (meaning- you can replace it) or you'll be looking at dim lights on those not so sunny days- especially during the winter holidays!

1000bulbs.com carries 50 led bulbs 25' long, for $13.67 in clear (white) or warm white (which looks amber) and other colors- http://www.1000bulbs.com/Wide-Angle-LED-Mini-Lights/
They're about 6' shorter and 75% cheaper then the ones by solarilluminations.com which do seem to be a better quality if you look at the leds wiring itself.
I am still undecided... if you have either of these then do post about it!

It must be noted that solar string lights are bought by people for various reasons. Here are just a few:

1. No electricity available when the string lights are to be installed.

2. A 'Green' alternative to electrically powered string lights.

3. No utility (electricity) costs.

4. Totally safe around pets, children and water. No risk of fires.

5. No wires or cords trailing around. Install almost anywhere.

6. The LED bulbs are cool to the touch and never need replacing.

So, for any one or more of the above reasons it makes sense to go solar. It also pretty obvious that a set of solar string lights is going to cost much more than a string of electric lights. The solar string lights use LED bulbs. They never need replacing. Now, as we all know you can get strings of electric lights that use small regular light bulbs and strings of electric lights that use LED bulbs. The LED version costs much more. So, as the solar powered strings use LED's part of the higher cost is for that reason. Other reasons that a set of solar string lights cost more, is that they have a solar panel and a battery. The battery can be something as simple as one or more AA size rechargeable or a large sealed LA battery of which the battery cost alone is around $20. So now, when you start adding up all the components and parts that make up a set of solar string lights is crystal clear they will cost more to purchase and for very good reason. Its not a rip-off.

Now, looking at on-line stores that carry solar string lights it would appear that Solar Illuminations offers, by far, the best selection. They were the first company in the USA and the UK to introduce solar Christmas light strings and the remain the market leader. They have sets starting at under $25 going up to their top-of-the-line model which is $79.99 at the time of writing this message. Their top model, which is the product shown at the top of this page, is their XP03. Its amazing because it can run from dusk to dawn every night of the year no matter whatthe weather. No other solar string light can come close to that. Quality comes at a price and technology comes at a price. Finally, all the string Christmas lights that Solar Illuminations offers allow the battery to be easily replaced when necessary (usually about every 3 years or so).

Solar Illuminations USA web site is www.solarilluminations.com and they ship orders throughout the USA, Canada and all over the world.

Solar Illuminations UK web site is www.solarilluminations.co.uk and from there, they serve customers from the UK and Ireland.

Finally, I have just heard that Solar Illuminations is offering another unqiue product to their collection....Solar Rope Lights. Another development of theirs and another first in the USA. These guys really have some cool and unique stuff!

http://www.solarilluminations.com/acatalog/Solar_Christmas_Tree_Lights___Party_Light_String.html