Solar Lighting Fundamentals: IP Ratings, Weatherproofing and Runtime

A few core principles apply to every solar lighting project, regardless of whether the fixture is a street light, flood light or garden light. Weatherproofing and runtime are the two fundamentals that decide whether a product survives outdoors and performs through the night.

IP ratings describe how well a fixture resists dust and water, but a higher number is not automatically the best purchase. IP65, IP66 and IP67 each suit different mounting positions and exposure levels, and paying for protection the site will never need simply wastes budget. Runtime is equally important: how long a solar light lasts depends on real system wattage, usable battery capacity, the dimming profile and how much energy the panel harvests in the worst sun month. Estimating runtime from these factors is far more reliable than trusting a single printed autonomy figure.

The articles below explain IP ratings and how to choose weatherproof solar lights, compare IP65, IP66 and IP67 from a buyer perspective, and provide a runtime calculation guide that shows how long solar lights actually last.