Anyone have a favorite solar light that gives off enough light to tack up through the winter? Would prefer something that isn’t motion activated or atleast can be programmed to stay on longer than 15 seconds. Eventually we can hardwire something so ill take any suggestions for that too!
What’s the scenario? Is it covered (needs a remote solar panel) or outside (where it can be a single unit?)
Is this your own barn? Or somewhere you board? Do you have secure storage?
Because my first inclination if you actually need LIGHT to see what you’re doing, is rechargeable battery jobsite work lights:
I’ll see if I can dig up links for the various solar lights we use around here. We have one up front that stays dim all night but gets quite bright if it detects motion. It might have other settings though, and I think it came with a remote control.
It is outside (not covered) at my own farm. I normally have a tacking area inside with lights but my barn is crammed full of hay because of the drought. A work light is an idea but was more looking for something I wouldn’t have to deal with (aka charge, put away).
Be aware that if you’re talking about light for daytime, dawn, or dusk, most of the solar light kits (panel + light, single unit jobs) only turn on after dark and aren’t capable of being on and charging in my experience. So do your research…
How much light do you need? If you have somewhere high to hang, my neighbor uses these. I’m getting ready to order some for putting on the side of the barn.
1 Like
that light really looks Nice… and inexpensive
it will also qualify if using on your homestead for the 30% Federal tax credit …you file for it using IRS Form 5695
1 Like
Thank you for sharing that link. I have a suitable set up for these and think they will complement my solar party lights. I like the timer feature.
This is the one we have up front at the entrance. It doesn’t have a remote, their more expensive options do but that’s a big jump. Maybe the related suggested links will help:
If your area has metal - those magnetic lights are nice – since you can grab them and move them around to the exact area you need more light. Fixed position evening lights cause shadows. These are nice to move around as needed. Home Depot usually sells them out of a cardboard kiosk in the lighting section. Mine have a switch.
I wonder if there is a way to mount these where they can shine INTO a barn?
Not sure exactly what you’re asking but I have this style with a separate/remote solar panel in my barn and they work great. The panel is outside on the upper part of the barn and the cord runs inside to the light.
I couldn’t find the exact one anymore, so check that this is bright enough or find a different one.
I have these inside stalls in a shedrow:
ٍSolar Barn LED Light 6,000 Lumen… https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L5GPF2S?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
(ETA, no longer available but look exactly like this, but higher lumens:
They have a 5k lumen version that’s virtually identical: https://a.co/d/cvWGn6f)
And this on the outside of a shedrow (now disabled after my mare got Potomac and I learned that they attract bugs that can cause it…)
Sunforce Solar Powered Barn Light… https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08V956BDF?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
(ETA, no longer on Amazon but is on Home Depot… similar items for cheaper are on Amazon…
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sunforce-Large-Black-Solar-Outdoor-Barn-Light-Sconce-81401/310227281)
Happy with both purchases, although I initially found the stall lights confusing. They won’t stay on during day, even when overcast, etc… but are amazingly bright at night.
I similar lights up on the outside shed (same manufacturer as these, but they don’t make those specific ones any longer). They work great, have a remote (tho you have to be fairly close) and you can set them to stay on. Mine give off a lot of light - more than enough to saddle up by.
We have these, we have one over the door to our indoor. It provides incredible light for doing evening chores. We have it on dawn to dusk mode. It can get a little dim if it’s been cloudy for days but if you don’t use the dawn to dusk mode it will be fine. We have had it up for 2 years and it still works just like new.
Does the solar panel have to be on the backside of the lightbulbs or can they be mounted as two separate pieces? I’m thinking for my barn, feed room, and tool shed: light mounted inside the building, solar panel mounted outside of the building.
Yes, some are designated for indoors, a wire goes from the solar panel to the light.
Those can be cheaper, don’t have to be weatherproof.
In a barn, I would still get the indoor/outdoor ones for inside.
You can buy them that way, I saw some at Lowes, but the ones I linked are not set up that way.
