No Sunlight? No Problem! How to Charge Solar Lights Indoors and in Dark Conditions.
Whether you’re facing days of continuous rain, experiencing the long nights of polar regions, or need to store your solar lights indoors for an extended period without sunlight, you might need to know how to charge them manually.
Learn how to power up your solar lights using indoor lights, USB, car adapters, and clever DIY hacks. Get quick fixes and long-term solutions. Read now!
Table of Contents
7 Ways to Charge Solar Lights Without Sunlight
1. Use Indoor LED Lights (Fastest Alternative)
To charge/activate, place the light 6-12 inches below a 40W+ LED bulb for 6-8 hours. Ensure the light does not overheat during this process. While this method is time-consuming, it is a viable option.
2. USB Charging (For Modern Solar Lights)
For solar lights with a charging port, such as rechargeable solar flood lights, use a charger to charge them. This method is very fast and stable, and it can fully charge the battery.
3. Car Charger Adapter (For Road Trips)
When a stable home power source is unavailable, such as during travel, you can use a car power outlet for charging. Be sure to use a 12V to USB adapter.
4. DIY Reflector with Aluminum Foil
To more effectively concentrate light and improve charging efficiency, reflective materials can be used to enhance illumination. Examples include reflectors, aluminum foil, car sunshades, and camera reflectors.
5. Replace with Rechargeable Batteries
Many modern portable solar lights come equipped with battery compartments, allowing users to easily replace spare batteries and extend their usage time. Be sure to select rechargeable batteries that are compatible with your light and avoid mixing old and new batteries.
6. Use a Flashlight or Camping Lantern
Of course, in emergency situations, you can also use a high-power flashlight to charge your solar lights. While this method is inefficient and not a scientifically recommended way to charge, it can still provide some power as an emergency measure.
7. Wind-Powered Charging (Hybrid Systems)
In addition to solar power, wind energy can also provide the necessary electricity for solar street lights that integrate wind power generation.
Pro Tips to Maximize Charging Efficiency
✅ Clean solar panels with vinegar solution (1:1 water mix) monthly.
✅ Store lights in a warm room during winter – cold reduces battery life.
What NOT to Do (Avoid Damage!)
❌ Never use hair dryers/heaters – melts panels!
❌ Avoid direct 12V car battery connections – needs voltage regulator.
FAQs
Even on cloudy days, solar lights can still charge using ambient light, but the charging efficiency will decrease by 50% to 80%.
Charging with indoor simulated natural light usually takes twice as long as charging with outdoor sunlight.
Charging with light will not damage the device, but please do not place it too close to avoid overheating and damaging the light fixture.
You cannot charge old light fixtures without a USB port via USB. The reason is that these lights do not have a built-in USB charging circuit, and their operating voltage is likely incompatible with the 5V USB voltage. We recommend trying the other charging methods mentioned above.
Conclusion
Solar lights are primarily designed to charge via natural sunlight. Other methods like USB charging are mainly for emergency situations or to provide convenience for DIY users. To enhance usability, consider products like LEDBLOC’s portable rechargeable solar lights, which often support dual USB and solar charging. If you have any unique insights or innovative methods regarding solar light charging, feel free to leave a comment and share.