Solar outdoor lighting is the art and science of lighting up an outdoor space with the help of the energy contained within rays of sunlight. This is usually done by the use of a solar cell battery pack connected to a lighting element. A typical solar outdoor lighting unit contains a plastic case, a single NiCad battery, a solar cell on the top, a small circuit board and an LED and photoresistor.

The solar cell used in solar outdoor lighting is a four cell solar array, which measures around 2 inches square. The function of the solar cell is to convert the solar energy incident on it into electrical energy. The photoresistor is an electrical component, which plays a vital role in outdoor solar lighting. The function of the photoresistor is to detect darkness, and turn on or off the outdoor solar lighting equipment suitably.

Typically a single solar cell would produce around 0.45 volts. The current produced by it depends on the amount of sunlight falling on it and the size of the cell. In solar outdoor lighting a highly viable and environment friendly alternative to other forms of lighting.