If we are to put it into layman's terms, solar street lights work by converting solar energy into electricity. Solar lights are dependent on the photovoltaic cells(solar cells)which absorb solar energy in the daytime. The cells then convert solar energy into electric charge and store that electricity charge into the battery. Now we take a closer look at the most used solar street lights; LED solar street lights. LED solar lights have LED lamps i.e. light-emitting diode. Sensors are the reason that solar street lights work so efficiently. There are sensors installed in the solar street light fixtures which control the working of the solar lights. These. With the above guide, you now hopefully have a basic idea of how solar street lights work. The guide also describes a couple of components that help the. An important component that makes solar street lights work is their rechargeable battery. Solar street lights have a battery attached to their fixtures. During the daytime when the sun is shining, the solar cells can generate.