Deck the halls, spare the cords: Solar-powered Christmas lights

Whether it’s panel or plug-in, your inner Clark Griswold awaits

Why make the switch to solar-powered Christmas lights?

Well, for one, Santa Claus won’t be tripping over any more extension cords up on the roof.

Is this the year that you go off the grid for the holidays, and make the switch to solar-powered LED Christmas lights? If so, here are a few things to consider:

• Strings of lights are wired to a small solar panel, which can usually be staked in the ground to best capture the sun’s rays;
• A fully charged string of lights should last for six to eight hours after sunset;
• Purchase cost is generally comparable to, or a tad higher than, plug-in LED lights;
• They can withstand snow, cold and rain, like plug-in LEDs;
• While LED lights were a big improvement on incandescent bulbs for longevity, solar-powered LED strings are too new for us to know their long-term durability.

Whatever system you choose, your inner Clark Griswold is waiting.

On with the light show!

In the world's conversation about energy, one point is beyond debate: Energy makes a vital contribution to people's quality of life, to society and to human progress. This is true today, and it will remain true in the future. That's why Energy Matters was created. We believe it's important to equip people with unbiased information so they may form opinions, join the conversation and feel confidence in the work and accomplishments of the energy sector. Energy Matters is an initiative that provides transparent information and perspective on energy. Here, we'll cover a range of topics: the scale of global energy; the ways energy is sourced and produced; current energy technology; forthcoming innovations; the world's future energy needs; and the sustainable sources of energy that will fill them. Because energy matters to everyone, we hope you'll rely on Energy Matters as an ongoing source of balanced information.