Most solar outdoor lights are made from plastics or plastic-derived materials; common examples in product listings include ABS and PET. Some models also incorporate metal components.
Solar lights are powered by onboard solar panels that charge internal batteries. Listings show several battery arrangements: built-in lithium cells, replaceable AA NiMH packs, coin cells like CR2025, and some non-standard lithium-ion types. A few units also support USB or a combined solar+USB power option.
Many solar lights are described as weather- or water-resistant and some list specific ratings such as IP55. Product notes also mention impact-resistant or water‑resistant construction suited to outdoor use.
Run times vary by model. Many listings cite roughly 8–12 hours of nighttime operation; some lanterns list up to 12 hours, others around 10 hours, and certain modes (e.g., short or high-power modes) may run as little as about 2.5 hours. Actual runtime depends on the unit and mode used.
Common mounting options include ground stakes for inserting into soil, included mounting hardware for fixed installation, hook-and-loop strips for temporary attachment, or simply placing the lights on the ground or other flat surfaces.
Some solar lights include supplemental charging options such as USB or USB‑C ports, and a few list a combined solar+USB power capability to charge the internal battery or run the lights when solar charging is insufficient.