Solar roof lights on standard units are fine for walking in and finding the seat, but they are not enough light on their own for a six hour night party in a park. We ran fall movie nights in our parks for a few seasons and saw the same thing every time. The little panel charges during the day, so a gray afternoon means a weak light by nine or ten. Rain at night does not kill them. A cloudy day before the event does. They also only light the inside. The path to the bank and the area out front stay dark, and that is where people trip, especially with alcohol in the mix.
What worked for us:
- Ask the company to drop the standard units the day before so the panels get a full day of sun, and ask the driver to face the panels south if the layout allows.
- Stake a couple of battery work lights or a string of lights near the bank, aimed at the ground in front of the doors.
- Keep a bag of battery puck lights on hand to stick inside any unit that goes dim.
Durability was never our problem. The lights are sealed and mounted up high. At a rowdy event the doors and paper dispensers take the abuse, not the lights.
Also check your park permit. Ours asked for the restroom area to be lit after dark.
