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MaxLED Solar Skylight vs Traditional Skylights
Traditional skylights can be a great way to bring natural daylight into your home. But they’re not always the most practical option – especially if you just want to brighten a darker space without a bigger roof and ceiling project.
In many homes, a conventional skylight can involve extra roof work, more waterproofing considerations, and a larger installation footprint than you need. If the goal is to light up a hallway, pantry, laundry, stairwell, or internal room, a full skylight solution can feel like overkill.
That’s where SolarBright’s MaxLED Solar Skylights shine. Instead of relying on a roof window or reflective tube, MaxLED uses a roof-mounted solar panel to power a bright ceiling LED diffuser – giving you clean, practical light with no mains power connection and no running costs.
What Is a Solar Skylight?
A solar skylight is a lighting system powered by the sun. A compact solar panel is installed on the roof, then connected to a ceiling-mounted LED diffuser inside your room. The panel captures sunlight, converts it into electricity, and powers the LED light – so you get bright illumination where you need it, without using grid power.
Why MaxLED Solar Skylight Is a Great Alternative to Traditional Skylights
Bright light without electrical wiring
MaxLED Solar Skylight is powered by solar energy, so you can brighten dark areas without running new mains wiring through your ceiling cavities.
Ideal for hard-to-light spaces
Solar skylights are perfect for areas like:
- hallways and corridors
- walk-in robes and wardrobes
- pantries and laundries
- stairwells and entry zones
- garages, sheds, and utility rooms
- commercial corridors, storerooms, and back-of-house areas
Two sizes to suit different rooms
MaxLED comes in two practical sizes – 250mm and 400mm – so you can match the light output to the space.
Modern, clean light colour
MaxLED produces a crisp “pure white” style light that suits everyday use and helps spaces feel brighter and cleaner.
Low running costs
Because the system is solar powered, the light runs on free energy from the sun – helping reduce daytime lighting use from the grid.
MaxLED Solar Skylight Models: Choose the Right Option for Your Home
SolarBright offers two MaxLED Solar Skylight options depending on how you use the space.
1) MaxLED Standard (Best for daytime lighting)
The Standard MaxLED Solar Skylight is designed to deliver bright, reliable light when the sun is shining. It’s ideal for areas used mainly during the day – like hallways, pantries, laundries, and internal rooms.
What you get:
- roof-mounted solar panel
- ceiling LED diffuser (round or square finish options)
- connecting cable for a neat installation
Best for: daytime lighting in frequently used walkthrough areas and utility spaces.
2) MaxLED24 Day & Night (Best for after-dark lighting + convenience)
If you want light at night or in low-sun periods, the MaxLED24 Day & Night model is the premium choice. It includes a rechargeable battery that stores energy so the LED light can run when the panel isn’t producing.
Key features:
- higher output solar panel
- integrated rechargeable lithium battery
- motion sensor to help preserve battery energy
- remote control for on/off and dimming
- ceiling LED diffuser with round or square finish options
Best for: stairwells, entry zones, hallways at night, and anywhere you want “set and forget” lighting with extra convenience.
How MaxLED Works (Simple Breakdown)
MaxLED Solar Skylights (Standard)
- The roof panel captures sunlight.
- Sunlight is converted into electricity.
- Electricity powers the ceiling LED diffuser inside the room.
MaxLED24 Solar Skylight Day & Night
- The roof panel powers the LED during daylight.
- Extra energy charges the integrated battery.
- At night or during low-sun periods, the battery powers the LED.
- Motion sensing and dimming controls help you manage brightness and battery usage.
Quick Specs That Matter
Here are the practical specs most homeowners care about when comparing options:
- Sizes: 250mm and 400mm
- Bright output: designed to deliver strong, useful lighting for common household spaces
- Light colour: pure white-style light suited to everyday use
- Day & Night option: battery-backed lighting for after-dark use
- Controls (Day & Night model): motion sensor + remote dimming
If you’re unsure which size is best, a quick check of the room size and how you use the space usually makes the decision easy.
Warranty and Peace of Mind
MaxLED Solar Skylights are built for long-term use, with warranty coverage that supports confidence in the product – especially important when choosing a roof-installed solution. (Exact warranty terms vary by model and components.)
Traditional Skylights vs SolarBright MaxLED Solar Skylights: Which One Suits Your Space?
| Feature | Traditional Skylights | SolarBright MaxLED Solar Skylights |
| What it is | A roof opening that brings natural daylight into the room. | A roof solar panel powers a ceiling LED diffuser to deliver skylight style lighting. |
| Type of light | Real sunlight. Brightness changes with weather, time of day, and roof position. | Consistent LED light powered by the sun. Designed for practical everyday brightness. |
| Night time lighting | No. You still rely on normal lights after dark. | Yes with the Day and Night model that includes a battery. |
| Installation scope | Often more involved. Roof cut, flashing, waterproofing, and internal finishing. | Often simpler. Mount the panel, run the cable, fit the diffuser. No mains power connection needed. |
| Waterproofing complexity | Higher. Correct flashing and sealing are critical. | Lower. No large skylight unit or window style opening is required. |
| Heat transfer | Can increase heat gain or heat loss depending on the glazing and placement. | No direct sun opening into the room. Light is delivered via LED rather than glazing. |
| Best for | Living spaces where you want true daylight and the feel of natural sun. | Dark areas where you want reliable light, such as hallways, pantries, laundries, stairs, and wardrobes. |
| Performance on cloudy days | Still works, but brightness can drop. | Works during daylight. Day and Night can use stored battery energy when sunlight is low. |
| Running cost | Daylight is free, but room temperature changes can affect heating or cooling use. | The light itself runs on solar energy, so there is no ongoing electricity cost for lighting. |
| Control | Limited. Some systems add blinds as an extra. | Day and Night includes motion sensing, plus remote on off and dimming. |
| Ideal when | You want natural daylight and are comfortable with a larger installation scope. | You want a simpler way to brighten a room, especially where a traditional skylight is not ideal. |
Where MaxLED Solar Skylights Make the Most Sense
MaxLED Solar Skylight is ideal when you want a practical lighting upgrade without a major installation footprint. It’s especially popular for:
- homes with dark internal zones
- rooms that need light but don’t justify a traditional skylight build
- spaces where running new electrical wiring is difficult or costly
- people who want a low-running-cost lighting option powered by the sun
If you want lighting that continues after dark, the MaxLED24 Day & Night model is the easy pick.
Ready to Brighten a Dark Room?
If you’re considering a SolarBright Solar Skylight (MaxLED) and want help choosing the best model and size, Contact SolarBright or book a free consultation with a Solar Skylight specialist.
We’ll recommend the right option based on your room, roof, and how you want to use the light – so you get a clean result that feels right from day one.