Solar lights work best under direct sunlight, but can also be charged at a less efficient rate with indirect light. Some solar lights may also be able to supplement their batteries with a charge via USB or another alternate power source. 

Some solar lights come with a fully charged battery and are ready to use immediately. If the battery is depleted, it usually takes between 4 and 10 hours of sunlight to recharge completely. When placed in a spot with full sunlight exposure, lights installed in the morning are likely to function by that evening.

Yes, solar lights can charge on cloudy days. Although the battery charges more slowly, small efficient solar panels are still able to generate electricity in partly cloudy and overcast conditions.

Solar lights automatically turn on at night when a built-in photocell sensor detects the absence of sunlight. The lights activate at sundown and will turn off in the morning, provided there is still battery life remaining.

To install solar lights in hard ground, you will need to hammer in foundation stakes before placing the lights around your yard. Most landscape solar lights come with an installation mount and stake for easy setup and relocation.

Yes, like all technology, eventually solar lights wear out. The typical lifespan of a solar light is between 2 and 5 years, depending on the area’s weather conditions and the quality of the materials.