Ever since I discovered the possibility of running something on energy collected by the sun, I have been fascinated with the cute little devices that have been available over the past decades. According to Gemini, these devices have been available for approximately thirty-five years, but I didn’t see them until about twenty-five years ago.
The first devices I encountered ran for a short time, and they were not lights. The Dollar Store used to sell these cute little kitschy devices that moved or danced when sunlight hit their tiny solar panels. And before that, there were a few solar-powered calculators, which I am not really sure how popular those were. My husband had one; it was okay. It still works, and was made by Sharp and is the Elsimate EL-244M model. We also found a combo solar-power/battery flashlight that still sorta works. And we also tried one of the rechargeable battery packs with solar panels, which was about the size of a fat smartphone. It worked for a while, but then the unit suddenly expanded, and I was advised to get rid of it. You need to make sure you dispose of those items carefully since some can be hazardous. Especially if they are the lithium-ion ones. According to Gemini, Lithium batteries must never be thrown in standard household trash, as they pose a major fire hazard in waste facilities. You can safely dispose of them by dropping them off at local recycling centers, participating in municipal hazardous waste programs, or using retail drop-off boxes (often located at stores like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Best Buy).
I found the lack of consistent performance by many of these devices to be frustrating. The calculator still works, and most of the dancing flowers and characters, but the flashlight and recharger device, which was expensive, were disappointing. The cables on the recharger device were of poor quality, and the light buttons were hard to use. I really wanted something I could count on if the world around me went into chaos, and I needed to function without all the amenities available. I think many of the items available now are still in that “need to be perfected” stage. I think if you need battery power ready for emergencies, I would opt for my Ryobi batteries plugged into the Ryobi accessory that lets other devices use the battery power.
But one item that has improved in quality and performance over the years is the solar light. These outdoor lights have consistently improved, with even the cheaper ones being better. I like the idea of outdoor lights that could be placed along a driveway or garden path. Wiring a set of outdoor lights was beyond me, but I could safely use the sunlight to meet the power needs, which seemed like a no-brainer. Originally, when these lights stopped working, you had to throw them away. Then I discovered that some had replaceable batteries. These are not just any kind of battery, either; you have to buy the correct one. They can be found on sites like Amazon. But not all solar lights are repairable. Some are made cheaply, which I recently discovered when a set of them started to die. When I opened it up to see if I could replace the battery, I found they were soldered in without a battery chamber. Rather disappointing. The design was kinda cool, but now, they are destined to be garbage in a landfill.
So what does this mean? Perhaps the more expensive solar lights are made better, and putting out the extra dollar might be worth it? I have some that have run well for several years without me attempting to change the battery. So what are the options? Stick with a brand name? I know that when I purchase stuff like this online, I check the ratings and read through them. When at the store, I need to use my best judgment to decide whether they feel well-made or not. I had some favorites from IKEA that are finally starting to die off after about 10 years of usage. I also purchased some from Costco and Home Depot that I have been happy with. The Home Depot ones were adorable, glass pink flamingos. These have to be brought in during winter to prevent the glass from cracking in the cold weather. So there is a certain amount of care required for the more delicate versions of these devices. While others have soldiered through many winters with snow and ice. I think it depends on what suits your needs.
For example, not all of the lights are used to light a pathway. The choices have really branched out into all kinds of fun, decorative displays that are more about charm and whimsy than about creating a safe walkway. There is an abundance of glowing flowers, holiday characters, and interesting shapes that seem cheery. Some colors rotate while others can flash if desired. One can create an atmosphere with such lights for their outdoor spaces. Holiday versions have become more common as well, such as Halloween and winter themed ones.
Regardless of what you select, it is a cheerful way to add something different to your yard or home at little cost, without the risks of a lit candle or a DIY wiring job.
G. Winkler ©2026
