Business monument sign illuminated with a solar panel lighting system, showcasing a step-by-step guide to retrofitting signs with off-grid solar lighting.

How to Add Solar Lighting to Your Signs: A Step-by-Step Guide

Lighting up your business sign shouldn’t be a headache, but let’s face it, it usually is. Between digging trenches to run power lines, paying installation fees, and dealing with those monthly electricity bills, it can quickly get overwhelming. But there’s a way to make things a lot easier and cheaper.

Here’s the solution: install solar sign light. Yep, you heard that right. When you learn more about how to illuminate sign off-grid, no wires or power lines needed, and forget about those sky-high energy costs. It’s a super simple setup that will save you money in the long run, and I’m about to show you how to make it happen.

Why Solar Lighting is the Way to Go

Let’s be real: the traditional way of lighting your sign - running power lines, trenching, and then paying for electricity, isn't exactly the most fun or cost-effective option. If you’re running a business, you need something that’s easy, efficient, and won’t burn a hole in your wallet. That’s where solar sign retrofit comes in.

You can easily DIY solar sign lighting. No more paying for electricity every month. No more digging trenches. And the best part? It’s all powered by the sun. It’s like turning your sign into a solar-powered billboard.

Step 1: Check the Location of Your Sign

Before you rush out and buy anything, take a quick look at your sign’s location. Is it in the sun most of the day or not? Here’s why that matters:

  • Sunlight is key: Solar panels need to soak up some serious sun to work, so you’ll want to make sure your sign gets about 4-6 hours of direct sunlight a day. If your sign is in the shade most of the time, you might need to think about relocating the panel or placing it in a spot where it can get more sun.

  • Power lines and trenches: If running power lines to your sign would cost you a fortune, solar sign retrofit is a no-brainer. You’ll avoid the big setup costs and still get the same bright, reliable lighting.

Step 2: Choose the Right Solar Kit for Your Sign

Not all solar sign lighting kits are made the same, so it’s important to choose one that’s right for your sign. Here’s what you’ll want to keep in mind:

  • The size of your sign - If you’ve got a huge billboard or a large monument sign, you’ll need a more powerful kit. Smaller signs won’t need as much wattage, so a smaller kit will work just fine.

  • Brightness: Make sure the lights are bright enough to shine on your sign from a distance. Think about how far away people will be when they see the sign at night. The right kit will give you enough brightness so your sign pops.

  • Mounting style: Depending on how your sign is set up, you might want pole-mounted or ground-mounted lights, or maybe even backlit strip lights. Choose a kit that fits how your sign is designed.

 

Step 3: Get the Right Size for the Panel and Battery

Here comes the part that confuses some people - sizing your solar panel and battery. But don't worry, it’s easier than it sounds:

  • Panel wattage: Your solar panel needs to be big enough to recharge the battery each day. If it’s too small, the battery won’t get enough power, and your lights won’t stay on long enough at night.

  • Battery capacity: The battery stores the energy to keep the lights on after dark. You need a battery that’s big enough to last through the night, even if the weather’s been cloudy during the day.

  • Timers: If you don’t need your lights on all night, consider adding a timer to save energy. You can limit the hours the lights are on, which also helps reduce the size of the system you need.

 

Step 4: Installing the System

Now comes the fun part - actually setting everything up. The best part about solar sign retrofits is that they’re super easy to install, and you don’t need to be an electrician.

  1. Mount the solar panel: Put the panel somewhere that gets lots of sun, typically on a wall or pole facing south. The more sunlight it can catch, the better.

  2. Position the lights: Make sure the lights are placed at the right angle so they evenly illuminate your sign. A little adjustment goes a long way here!

  3. Connect the wires: It’s pretty straightforward: connect the solar panel to the battery, and then the battery to the lights. No complex wiring needed.

  4. Test it out: Check the system at dusk to make sure the lights turn on and off automatically like they’re supposed to. If something’s off, just tweak it a little.

 

Step 5: Maintain Your Solar Lights

One of the coolest things about solar lights is how little you need to do once they’re set up. But here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Clean the panels: Solar panels can get dusty, especially if you’re in a dry or windy area. Clean them every 3-6 months to keep them working at full capacity.

  • Replace the battery: After 5-7 years, the battery will need replacing. Don’t worry though, swapping it out is easy and won’t cost you much.

  • Check the lights: Every now and then, take a quick look at the lights to make sure they’re still aligned correctly and shining on your sign. After storms or bad weather, give them a check-up.

 

 

A Quick Example: Solar Lights in Action

Let’s say you own a car dealership, and you’ve got a big monument sign on the side of the road. You could go the traditional route, which would mean trenching, electrical hookups, and a $8,500 price tag (not to mention the $400/year electricity bill).

Instead, you decide to go with a solar sign retrofit kit, which costs just $4,200. The whole thing is installed in a day. Within 3 years, you’ve made back that cost, and for the next decade, your sign is still glowing with no electricity bills.

Reach out today for the same results for your space: Contact Us

 

 

FAQs

Can I retrofit my existing sign with solar lights?
Yep, you can! Most signs can be easily upgraded with solar lights, and the process is simple.

How bright are solar lights?
They’re bright enough for commercial signage. Modern solar lights use LED technology, which is super bright and energy-efficient.

How long does it take to install?
 Most systems can be installed in just 1-2 days. There’s no complicated wiring, and no need to dig trenches.

 

 

Explore Beyond Solar Families

Solar Sign Lighting Kits

Complete solutions for billboards and monuments. Bring your signage to life with efficient solar-powered lighting.

Capella Flood & Wall Packs

Bright, high-output LEDs perfect for illuminating signs. These floodlights make your message stand out, day or night.

Solar Power Banks

Ensure continuous power for your signs with our solar backup energy solutions. Never worry about an outage again.

Plantation Solar Post-Tops

A decorative way to light up entry signs and posts. Perfect for businesses that want to add a touch of elegance while staying eco-friendly.

Extended FAQs (Topical Authority)

  1. Do I need permits for solar sign lighting?
    Often, fewer permits are needed because there's no need for grid wiring. It's a simpler, faster setup process.

  2. Can solar lights power backlit signs?
    Absolutely! With the right kit, solar-powered systems can easily light up backlit signs, including strip LEDs or panel-powered backlighting.

  3. What if my site has partial shade?
    No worries! Solar panels can be mounted remotely where the sun hits the hardest, ensuring maximum efficiency.

  4. How long do solar sign lights last?
    Solar panels last around 15–20 years, LEDs up to 50,000 hours, and batteries typically last 5–7 years.

  5. Can timers save costs?
    Yes! Setting timers to run your lights for 6–8 hours instead of 24/7 reduces the system's size and lowers the initial cost.

  6. Are solar sign lights weatherproof?
    Yes, they are designed with IP65+ rated housings that are resistant to rain, dust, and coastal humidity, built to withstand the elements.

  7. Do they add to sustainability goals?
    Solar signage can help businesses earn LEED credits and boost their green branding efforts.

  8. Can they be installed in one day?
    Yes, most retrofits are quick and easy, typically, less than a day per sign.

  9. How do they compare to wired systems long-term?
    Solar solutions save you thousands in avoided trenching and reduce energy costs to $0 making it a long-term investment that pays off.

  10. Can they light multi-tenant monument signs?
    Absolutely! You can use multiple flood lights to effectively illuminate larger multi-tenant monument signs, making your business stand out in a big way.

Final Thoughts: 

Switching to solar sign retrofit for your business sign is one of the smartest moves you can make. It’s quick, it’s cost-effective, and once it’s set up, it practically takes care of itself. Plus, it’s good for the planet so you get a win on every level.

Ready to ditch the old, expensive way of lighting your sign? Go solar, and watch your savings grow. Let’s get started today!  Where to Buy • Get a Quote • Contact Us

 

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