Solar Whiz Lights — Frequently Asked Questions

1. Solar Whiz Lights are an LED home lighting system that runs exclusively on solar power (or mains electricity if optional night operations is installed),
2. Roof skylights differ from solar LED lighting (also referred to as ‘Solar Skylights’, ‘Solar Skylight Alternatives’ or ‘Imitation Daylighting Systems’) in that they channel light from the outside in through tubes or cutaways through your roof, whereas our systems do not.
3. Solar Whiz Lights LED lighting fixtures resemble traditional skylights in shape & size only, as they do not provide actual daylight as a tubular, or rectangular roof skylight would.

There is no large hole in your roof; there is no shaft, so roof timbers don’t get in the way; the ceiling unit is 10mm thick so no trusses or ceiling battens can interfere with the position you choose. The largest benefit to this is the versatility of the lighting fixture, as it can be placed on any floor of your home you choose without creating a direct channel to your roof space like a traditional skylight would!

Solar Whiz Lights have taken the already long-established, but little-known, solar-powered skylight alternative another step further with the introduction of their proprietary Uninterrupted Solar Powered Skylight Alternative. The USPS module stores and smooths the power from the solar panel to ensure an even and stable light from the LED panel.

No!

Being an LED-driven lighting system, there is almost no radiant heat. You can stand under a Solar Whiz Lights ceiling unit on a 40°C degree day and you won’t feel any heat bearing down on you!

Yes!

Solar Whiz Lights still operate in rainy & other low-light conditions (such as overcast weather). It won’t be as bright, but it will still give a good light—dimming with the availability of sunlight, just like a traditional skylight would.

It can!

Solar Whiz Lights do not operate at night on their own, however, we offer a day/night pack (also ‘night operations kit) which enables you to power the lights with mains power if you want to run the lights at night, or top them up during the day.

Yes. Solar Whiz Lights dim naturally with available sunlight — just like a traditional skylight would. In winter or overcast conditions, they’ll still provide useful light, though output will be lower than on a sunny day. If you need consistent brightness regardless of weather or time of day, our Night Operations Kit lets you top up with mains power when solar isn’t sufficient.

No!

Battery technology is making slow progress but our system can be wired into your electrical system so it’s free light during the day and you pay for the light at night. In the long term it will be cheaper to be connected to the grid rather than having to change batteries.

Solar Whiz Lights units are dust and insect-proof, but will not withstand excessive water leakage as a result of leaky roof spaces. Always ensure your roof space is watertight for home safety!

Solar Whiz Lights run entirely on solar power during the day — meaning zero grid electricity consumed while the sun is shining.

To put that in perspective: a typical Australian kitchen (around 14–15 square metres) needs approximately 5,600 lumens of ambient light, plus an additional 1,200–1,500 lumens of task lighting over countertops and workspaces — around 6,800–7,100 lumens in total.

Traditional halogen downlights are highly inefficient, requiring significantly more watts to produce the same light output as modern LEDs. Switching from halogen to LED alone can reduce lighting energy use by around 80%. With Solar Whiz Lights, the electricity drawn from the grid during daylight hours is zero — regardless of what you’re replacing.

The actual dollar saving varies by state, usage patterns, and electricity tariff. Most people choose Solar Whiz Lights for the quality of natural light they bring into a room, and the energy saving is a genuine bonus.

Maybe.

YES –  If you are purchasing a night operations kit with your lights, and do not have an available powerpoint in your roof space.

NO – If you are not planning to run the lights at night.

NO – If you have a readily available powerpoint in your roofspace.

Installing a Solar Whiz Lights solar LED light is pretty straightforward for a competent handyman or a professional installer. It is therefore possible to do the installation yourself and we are happy to provide installation instructions and advice. Most Solar Whiz Lights LEDs are installed by our dealers/installers.

Yes!

Several Solar Whiz Lights ceiling LED light panels can be connected to one PV panel as long as you don’t exceed 108 watts of power.  Another solar panel will be required for more than 108 watts.

Generally, that equates to up to 10 of our smallest lights running off a single panel!

Our suggestion is that you position the solar panels together for a more tidy appearance

Yes, it is possible to do this!

It is worth noting that Solar Whiz Lights offer a range of extension cables for wiring from the PV panel to the skylight alternative solar LED panels. Furthermore, Solar Whiz Lights offer split options if you wish to use one single PV panel for powering multiple solar LED lights.

Yes!

But it should face True North as close as possible.

Solar Whiz Lights solar panels come with a mounting bracket and all necessary hardware. The panel should be mounted on your roof facing north to northwest to maximise sun exposure throughout the day. Detailed step-by-step installation instructions are included with your purchase. If you’re unsure, we recommend having a competent handyman or one of our authorised dealers handle the installation. You can find your nearest installer on our Dealers page.

Yes!

Provided it faces True North and gets as much sun as possible throughout the day.

Yes!

The 593mm × 593mm and the 293mm × 1193mm ceiling units can drop into most of the Suspended Ceiling Grid Systems.

Yes!

As long as you can run the wires from the Solar Panels to the lower floors.

Solar Whiz Lights are suitable for most Australian roof types, including tile, corrugated iron, and Colorbond roofs. The solar panel mounts externally on the roof surface and the wiring runs through to the ceiling unit — there is normally no roof penetration required for tile roofs. For metal roofs, the cable can often be fitted under the ridge capping – or a dektite can be used – and the penetration size required will be less than a finger. Contact us to confirm compatibility with your specific roof type.

A standard single-light installation typically takes 1–2 hours for a competent handyman or professional installer. More complex installations involving multiple lights, cable extensions, or night operations kits may take longer. However, by taking advantage of the Solar Whiz Lights’ unique and simple wiring, multiple lights can be powered by a single solar panel – installation time per light is less than our competitors’, which makes Solar Whiz Lights installation cheaper and/or easier. This is further enhanced by the extra wide edges of the Solar Whiz Lights LEDs.

Solar Whiz Lights and accessories are designed to be DIY-friendly and installation instructions, wiring guides, etc. are available. Only, if you’re adding a Night Operations Kit and don’t have an existing power point in your roof space, a licensed electrician is required for that part of the work. Our dealer network or any qualified electrician can handle the full installation if you prefer a professional setup.

Yes!

Solar Whiz Lights offers a range of dimmers as optional add-ons! We offer:

1. Single Channel Dimmers,
2. Multi-Channel Dimmers.

Dimmers can be installed to allow you to control the brightness of the light. These enable you to subtly reduce the brightness of the Solar Whiz Lights system during the day (when run on solar), and at night with a Night Operations kit (as it can now also run on mains power).

The Solar Whiz Lights remote-controlled dimmer can operate without being connected to a main power supply and is an easy DIY installation.

Yes!

An isolation switch or a dimmer will need to be fitted to the system so you can turn the lights on and off whenever you want.

Yes. Solar Whiz Lights offer a remote-controlled dimmer that operates without needing to be connected to mains power. It allows you to adjust brightness from anywhere in the room. Single channel dimmer option is available.

Not automatically — the Night Operations Kit allows your Solar Whiz Lights to run on mains power after dark, but switching between solar and mains is done manually via a switch turning the power on for the lights.

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Solar Whiz Lights are available in 4,000K Daylight colour temperature. This was specifically chosen as the closest match to the feel of natural daylight you’d get from a traditional skylight at 10 AM and 2 PM — not too warm, not too cool.

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Solar Whiz Lights ceiling units are designed for indoor installation. The solar panel is installed outdoors on the roof and is rated IP44 — meaning it is protected against splashing water and suitable for outdoor roof mounting. The LED light fitting is installed inside your home or building.

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Output depends on the model. Our circular downlights range from 480 lumens (120mm, 6W) up to 2,160 lumens (300mm, 24W). Our rectangular and square panels go up to 3,600 lumens (36W) — comparable to a bright ceiling light. As a reference point, a standard 40W incandescent bulb produces around 450 lumens, so even our smallest unit is a strong light source. See our Products page for the full range.

Our smaller circular units (120mm–190mm) are ideal for hallways, bathrooms, and stairwells. Mid-range units (225mm–300mm) suit bedrooms and studies. Our larger rectangular and square panels (320mm × 620mm and above) are suited to open-plan living areas, kitchens, and larger rooms. Contact us for a recommendation based on your room size.

This depends on your room sizes, ceiling heights, and how bright you want each space to be. As a general guide, one larger panel can adequately light a medium-sized room, while smaller rooms like hallways may only need one compact circular unit. We recommend contacting us for a free assessment — we’ll help you plan the right number and placement for your home.

Yes. Solar Whiz Lights are suitable for bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, and other rooms that are difficult to light naturally. Because there is no roof penetration, there’s no leak risk — making them particularly well-suited to wet areas like bathrooms where a traditional skylight would require careful waterproofing.

Solar Whiz Lights work best as a primary daytime light source, reducing your reliance on grid electricity. Most homeowners use them alongside existing lighting rather than as a complete replacement — particularly for evening and nighttime use. With the Night Operations Kit, your Solar Whiz Lights can also run on mains power after dark, making them a viable all-day lighting solution.

No. Solar Whiz Lights are installed with a weatherproof flashing system designed specifically for the roof profile, so when fitted correctly, they create a fully sealed, leak-free installation — the same standard expected of any quality roof penetration.

No. Solar Whiz Lights don’t work like a traditional skylight — there’s no glass or tube letting outdoor heat into the room. Instead, a small solar panel on the roof powers an LED light fixture indoors, so you get the feel of natural daylight without the heat gain, UV exposure, or leak risk that comes with a physical roof opening.

Yes. Solar Whiz Lights can be installed on most common Australian roof types, including metal (Colorbond) and tiled roofs, using a flashing kit matched to that roof profile.

Very little. Solar Whiz Lights have no moving parts, so there’s nothing to service — the only upkeep is an occasional wipe of the solar panel to clear off dust, leaves, or debris so it can keep capturing full sunlight. There’s no diffuser, dome, or roof cavity to clean, and no annual inspections needed.

Pricing varies depending on the model and number of units. Please visit our online store for current pricing, or contact our team for a tailored quote including installation.

Yes!

Contact our friendly sales team to organise a tailored quote for setting up a Solar Whiz Lights system in your new or pre-existing home, and we can arrange discounts based on the amount of Solar Whiz Light LED lighting units you purchase.

GES & Solar Whiz Lights have an extensive network of dealers throughout Australia. Please check our website for our dealer list or contact us to link you up with your nearest dealer and/or installer.

Solar Whiz Lights Solar LED lights are designed and developed in Australia by Global Eco & Environmental Solutions (GES Pty Ltd). Solar Whiz Lights orders are put together on our premises with parts made here as well as parts manufactured in cooperation with our Chinese partners.

Solar Whiz Lights come with a 4-year warranty on the solar LED and a 10-year warranty on the solar panel. We don’t currently offer a trial period, but we’re happy to answer any questions before you purchase. Contact our team on 1300 609 996.

Solar Whiz Lights run on electricity generated by the roof-mounted solar panel, so the light itself is free to run during the day — no draw on your electricity bill and no ongoing running cost for the base system. Over time, that reduces daytime lighting costs, and because installation doesn’t require structural roof modifications the way a cut-in skylight does, upfront costs are also typically lower.

IC stands for Insulation Contact. An IC4-rated light fixture can be completely covered by ceiling insulation without any clearance gaps — meaning no heat buildup, no fire risk, and no need to cut holes in your insulation around each fitting. Most standard downlights are Non-IC rated and require a 90mm clearance gap from insulation, which compromises your home’s thermal efficiency. Solar Whiz Lights is IC4 rated — the highest insulation contact classification available in Australia.

IC4 rating matters for three reasons. First, safety — non-IC-rated lights covered by insulation can trap heat and cause fire. Second, thermal efficiency — IC4 means your insulation barrier stays fully intact, keeping your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Third, easier installation — no clearance gaps means your electrician doesn’t need to cut holes around each fitting, saving time and labour costs.

Yes — Solar Whiz Lights are IC4 rated, meaning they can be safely installed in direct contact with ceiling insulation. This is rare among solar LED lighting products and makes Solar Whiz Lights the smarter choice for any home with ceiling insulation.

In the unlikely event of making a warranty claim, you will need to give us a call on 1300 609 996 and let us know the nature of the problem. Alternatively, you can send us an e-mail with a photo attachment showing the problem. Replacement parts will be sent ASAP and can be sent anywhere in Australia. Remember, the Solar Whiz Lights have no moving parts and are covered by our 4-year warranty on the solar LED & a 10-year warranty on the solar panel.

Additionally, if you fill out the Warranty Form and send us pictures of your Solar Whiz Lights installation once it is completed, you will receive an additional 6 months to your warranty.

You can see our full warranty policy on our GES warranty page here.

Yes!

Global Eco & Environmental Solutions have Solar Whiz Lights parts that can be purchased if something happens outside the warranty covered. These parts are reasonably priced and can be delivered anywhere in Australia. Contact us via email or phone at 1300 609 996 for current prices.

Solar Whiz Lights are built to last for years with minimal maintenance.