Who doesn’t appreciate something for nothing? The universal appetite for a freebie is perhaps why the use of solar power has mushroomed lately – according to Sheffield University, it provides 6.4 per cent of annual electricity generation in the UK, and as of mid-2026, 1.5m British homes had solar panels installed. Against the backdrop of soaring energy prices and with the on-going financial squeeze, any way to bank some savings is especially welcome. Solar panels may seem like a relatively new invention, but the very first solar cell was made back in 1883 by American inventor Charles Fritts, who coated selenium in a thin layer of gold before installing it on a NYC rooftop where it could catch the most light. His experiment collected about one per cent of energy. Thankfully, the green technology has come on leaps and bounds in the intervening years, with some solar panels now capable of powering entire homes. While installing heavy-duty solar panels to your roof comes with considerable initial cost, there is another way to take advantage of solar power: lighting.How do solar power lights work?All solar lights are fitted with a panel of photovoltaic cells attached to a battery pack to power the bulbs. Simply place this black panel in a sun trap and let it soak up those beautiful rays over the course of the day. Don’t forget to remove the plastic film often used by manufacturers to protect the panel in transit - daylight can’t penetrate properly through this layer. Around eight hours of daylight exposure should be enough to keep lights powered for up to 12 hours after dark. Read more: Best sunrise alarm clocksFrom lanterns to fairy lights, I tested a range of styles (Abha Shah/The Independent)The best solar lights in 2026 are:Best overall – EGLO pantete solar stake light: £49, Dunelm.comBest budget buy – Habitat solar willow lights: £10, Habitat.co.ukBest for bringing the indoors out – Habitat solar rattan floor lamp: £40, Habitat.co.ukBest for wireless home security – Eufy solar wall light cam: £99, Eufy.comBest for festival vibes – Lights4Fun 20 warm white carnival solar festoon lights: £15.99, Lights4fun.co.ukRead more: 10 best solar chargers