{"title":"Solar string lights","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSolar string lights need no socket\u003c\/strong\u003e: a panel recharges the battery during the day, a dusk sensor switches the LEDs on in the evening. To choose yours, start from the spot to light, sheltered or exposed to rain, then set the cable length, the light colour and the protection rating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cnav\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#fonctionnement\"\u003eHow solar string lights work\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#choisir\"\u003eWhich outdoor solar string lights to choose\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#indice-ip\"\u003eWhich IP protection rating\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#guinguette\"\u003eWhere to install bistro string lights\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#solaire-ou-brancher\"\u003eSolar or plug-in string lights\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#installation\"\u003eInstalling and hanging\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#entretien\"\u003eMaintaining and making them last\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#usage\"\u003eWhich string lights for which use\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/nav\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"fonctionnement\"\u003eHow do solar string lights work?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA small photovoltaic panel captures daylight and recharges a battery. In the evening, a dusk sensor switches the LEDs on, with no socket or switch. Runtime depends on the sunlight received during the day and on battery capacity, which is why the panel needs to be correctly angled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat the solar panel does during the day\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe panel turns the light it receives into electricity and stores it in a rechargeable battery. Its output varies widely: a few hours of direct sun charge far more than a grey day. A clean surface, free of dust and leaves, and a spot with no cast shadow (wall, tree, railing) change everything. That is what separates solar string lights that last the evening from ones that fade quickly. The models gathered in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/guirlandes-led-solaires\"\u003esolar LED string lights\u003c\/a\u003e rely on this principle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat the dusk sensor handles in the evening\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA photocell detects the drop in light, switches the string on, then turns it off when day returns. Some models add a steady mode, a flashing mode or a timer, set once and for all. No action is needed each evening. It is this complete autonomy that makes solar string lights practical on a terrace far from any power supply.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"choisir\"\u003eWhich outdoor solar string lights should you choose?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStart with cable length, the number of light points and the protection rating, then the light colour and bulb shape. Outdoor solar string lights are therefore chosen according to the distance to cover, exposure to rain and the look you want, bistro or understated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCable length and number of light points\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeasure the area to dress before ordering: a length that covers the table or railing without stretching the cable avoids tension points and rubbing. Also check the spacing between bulbs, it sets the rhythm. Wide spacing suits a large terrace, tight spacing a small balcony. The distance between the panel and the first bulb matters just as much, since the box must stay in the sun. \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-lumineuses\"\u003eIndoor and outdoor string lights\u003c\/a\u003e are compared on these three criteria.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLight colour and bulb style\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWarm white, around 2700 K, gives that amber glow of summer evenings. Cool white, higher in kelvins, lights more sharply but warms the mood less. On the bulb side, a visible round bulb or a filament format plays the bistro card, while a fine, discreet wire fades away. For a balcony under an awning, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-ip44\"\u003eIP44 string lights for sheltered balconies\u003c\/a\u003e are often enough.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"indice-ip\"\u003eWhich IP protection rating for solar string lights outdoors?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe IP rating indicates resistance to dust and water. IP44 string lights suit sheltered outdoor use, under an overhang or a covered pergola. IP65 string lights withstand water spray and direct exposure to rain, on a balcony or in an open garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ccaption\u003eProtection rating: which IP for which location?\u003c\/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eIP rating\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eExposure\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhere to use it\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat to check\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIP44\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSheltered outdoor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCovered pergola, roof overhang, balcony under awning\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBattery box and panel connector\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIP65\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExposed outdoor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOpen garden, hedge, tree, railing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eConnector sealing, panel well clear\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo rating given\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDry room only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBedroom, staircase, indoor wall\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDo not leave outside in the rain\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe point often forgotten: it is not only the bulb that must be protected, but above all the battery box and the panel connector. A box left in a puddle, a connector lying flat on the ground, and water ends up getting in even on a well-rated model. Hang the box, angle the connector downwards. In a heavily watered garden, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-ip65\"\u003eIP65 models for open gardens\u003c\/a\u003e are the safe choice, and they take their place in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/luminaire\"\u003eour full range of outdoor lights\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"guinguette\"\u003eWhere to install bistro solar string lights?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey hang where you sit in the evening: above a terrace table, between two pergola posts, along a railing or in a tree. The bistro style is recognisable by its visible bulbs and warm light, placed at eye level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTerrace and pergola: the bistro spirit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbove a table, aim for a line of bulbs higher than the heads of seated guests, without ever blocking the view or the way through. The regular rhythm of the bulbs does more for the mood than a string that is too dense. Filament bulbs, in warm light, recall village terraces. The effect is judged at dusk, when the string becomes the only light source. Find these formats in the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-lumineuses\"\u003efull string lights collection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGarden, tree and hedge\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a tree or on a hedge, you need length and flexibility to follow the branches without breaking the cable. A high IP rating is essential, since watering and rain soak the string as much as the foliage. The panel itself goes on a stake or a clear wall, never under the canopy. Outdoor string lights designed for these uses stand out in our selection of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlande-exterieur\"\u003eoutdoor string lights\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"solaire-ou-brancher\"\u003eSolar string lights or plug-in LED string lights: which to choose?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSolar wins when no socket is accessible: terrace, balcony, bottom of the garden. Rechargeable string lights suit a shaded area, and 220V string lights remain the solution for an equipped facade or interior. The choice therefore comes down to access to electricity and sunlight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen solar is enough\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs soon as the panel can receive a few hours of direct light, solar avoids the extension lead crossing the lawn and the socket to install. That is the case for an open terrace, an exposed balcony, a corner of the garden with no building nearby.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen a standard power supply remains preferable\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very shaded inner courtyard, a north wall, a facade under trees: the panel charges poorly there. Rechargeable string lights charged from the mains before use, or \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-220v\"\u003e220V LED string lights\u003c\/a\u003e plugged in permanently, then give more consistent lighting. \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-rechargeables\"\u003eRechargeable LED string lights\u003c\/a\u003e cover the in-between well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ccaption\u003eSolar, rechargeable or 220V: which power mode?\u003c\/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCriterion\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSolar string lights\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRechargeable LED string lights\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e220V LED string lights\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePower supply\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSolar panel and battery\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBattery recharged from mains or USB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePower socket\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOutdoor socket during use\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRuntime\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVaries with the day's sunlight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVaries with charge and mode\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eContinuous as long as the socket is powered\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIdeal for\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTerrace, garden or balcony with no nearby socket\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShaded area or no direct sun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFacade, interior, permanent decor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWatch out for\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClean, angled panel, no shadow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRemember to recharge before use\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIP rating and cable length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"installation\"\u003eHow to install and hang solar string lights?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst fix the support, then unroll the cable without over-tightening it, and place the solar panel in a clear spot, facing the light. Since there is no socket, installation is possible anywhere, but the panel must stay exposed to recharge the battery the next day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAngling the solar panel correctly\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn France, due south remains the best exposure, with a slight east or west deviation accepted. The panel must see the sky without obstruction: no foliage above, no wall putting it in shade for part of the day. Keep it away too from artificial lighting that switches on at night, or it will confuse the sensor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFixing the cable without drilling\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdhesive hooks, cable clips, a wire stretched between two support points: solutions exist for a rental or a facade you do not want to drill. Choose hardware made for damp conditions. Keep the cable slightly taut so it does not rub, and never lay a connector in a hollow where water collects. All the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led\"\u003eLED string lights\u003c\/a\u003e in the shop are fixed this way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"entretien\"\u003eHow to maintain solar string lights and make them last?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost of it comes down to the panel: a clean, clear surface charges better, so the string stays lit longer. Wipe the panel and bulbs regularly, check the fixings are tight, and bring the hardware indoors off season if the location is poorly sheltered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCleaning the panel to keep the charge\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA soft cloth and a little water are enough. Dust, dead leaves and limescale traces form a screen and reduce the charge without anything being visible. Also check the bulbs, since a layer of dirt dulls the effect. Take the chance to look at the cable condition and the connector seal. The rest of the catalogue can be browsed in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/luminaire\"\u003eour Designix lighting catalogue\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWinter storage and cable care\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the end of the season, coil the cable without folding or squeezing it, store the whole set somewhere dry, and bring the panel out again when the fine days return. In a well-sheltered spot and with an IP65 model, the string can stay in place, but the panel will always need to be clear to recharge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"usage\"\u003eWhich solar string lights for which room or use?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe format follows the use: spaced warm bulbs above a terrace table, a long flexible string in a tree or on a railing, a solar or rechargeable model for a balcony with no socket, a finer string for a staircase or an indoor wall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMeals and evenings on the terrace: visible bulbs, warm light, a length covering the table.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTree, hedge or railing: long, tough cable, high IP rating, see the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlande-exterieur\"\u003estring lights made for outdoors\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBalcony with no socket: solar or battery, discreet fixing and a well-exposed panel.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStaircase: soft light and a fine wire, to discover in the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlande-escalier\"\u003estaircase string lights\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLiving room or bedroom wall: small format, battery power, like the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlande-lumineuse-mural\"\u003ewall string lights\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor indoors, the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlande-murale-chambre\"\u003ebedroom wall string lights\u003c\/a\u003e go up without drilling or running a cable, and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-24v\"\u003e24V LED string lights\u003c\/a\u003e suit low-voltage installations.\n\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne last checkpoint before you decide: note the length you need, the panel exposure and the IP rating, then choose the model that ticks all three. You can browse the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-solaires\"\u003esolar string lights\u003c\/a\u003e and compare the looks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSecure payment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTracked delivery\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReturns available\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDesignix customer service\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"faq\"\u003eFrequently asked questions about solar string lights\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eDo solar string lights switch on by themselves in the evening?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn models fitted with a dusk sensor, yes: when the light drops, the string switches on automatically and turns off when day returns. Some models also offer a steady mode, a flashing mode or a timer, set once to suit your mood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eDo solar string lights need an outdoor socket?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The panel and battery replace the socket: just expose the panel to daylight. That is what makes solar string lights practical on a terrace or balcony far from any power supply. A standard power supply remains useful if the spot is very shaded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eCan solar string lights be left outside all year?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt all depends on the protection rating: IP65 withstands water spray and direct exposure to rain, IP44 is content with a sheltered spot. The panel must stay clear to keep charging. If in doubt about the location, it is better to bring the string indoors off season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eHow long do solar string lights stay on?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe duration depends on two things: the sunlight received by the panel during the day and the battery capacity. A clean panel, facing the light and with no cast shadow, charges better. The chosen mode, steady or flashing, also affects consumption.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eHow do you fix solar string lights without drilling?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse adhesive hooks, cable clips or a wire stretched between two support points, chosen to resist damp. The cable stays slightly taut to stop it rubbing. The solar panel then goes in a clear spot, facing the light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"CollectionPage\",\"name\":\"Solar string lights: choosing and installing outdoor light without a socket\",\"description\":\"Outdoor solar string lights: understand the panel, the battery, the IP rating and the bistro style to dress a terrace, balcony or garden without a socket.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/guirlande-solaire\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"name\":\"Designix\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\"},\"speakable\":{\"@type\":\"SpeakableSpecification\",\"cssSelector\":[\"h1\",\"h2\"]}},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Lighting\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/luminaire\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"String lights\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/guirlande\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Solar string lights: choosing and installing outdoor light without a socket\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/guirlande-solaire\"}]},{\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What are solar string lights?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"They are string lights whose LEDs are powered by a small solar panel connected to a battery. Placed outdoors, they capture daylight, recharge and switch on in the evening with no socket or extension lead, which simplifies installation on a terrace, balcony or in a garden.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Which outdoor solar string lights should you choose?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Start with the location: sheltered or exposed to rain, which determines the IP rating. Then come cable length, number of light points, light colour and bulb shape, for a bistro look or something more understated.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Do solar string lights switch on by themselves in the evening?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"On models fitted with a dusk sensor, yes: when the light drops, the string switches on automatically and turns off when day returns. Some models also offer a steady mode, a flashing mode or a timer, set to suit your mood.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Do solar string lights need an outdoor socket?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"No. The panel and battery replace the socket: just expose the panel to daylight. That is what makes solar string lights practical on a terrace or balcony far from any power supply. A standard power supply remains useful if the spot is very shaded.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Which bistro solar string lights for a terrace?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"For a bistro feel, look for visible, well-spaced bulbs in warm light, hung above the table or between two posts. The length must cover the area without stretching the cable, and the solar panel must stay exposed to the sun during the day.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can solar string lights be left outside all year?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"It all depends on the protection rating: IP65 string lights withstand water spray and direct exposure to rain, IP44 is content with a sheltered spot. The panel must stay clear to keep charging. If in doubt, bring the string indoors off season.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How long do solar string lights stay on?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The lighting duration depends on two things: the sunlight received by the panel during the day and the battery capacity. A clean panel, facing the light and with no cast shadow, charges better. 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