Lighting Rope / CFL / incandescent options

I'm in the same boat, need some extra morning and early afternoon lighting but I don't have electricity at my coop (not until next summer anyway, ssssshhhhh don't tell DH yet). I went to Home Depot today and found solar powered rope lighting (16 feet @ $24.99). Seemed reasonable and thought I could string a couple of strands all round the top inside of the coop. I didn't buy it because it stated on the box that the strand would get warm to the touch and that, combined with "Made in China" - I just couldn't do it. Visions of faulty manufacturing and the coop going up in flames. I found a solar powered shed light on amazon but reviews seem to suggest it isn't that bright. My hens will be 20 weeks old on Saturday but I'm thinking I won't get any eggs until spring if I don't provide a little supplemental light. I look forward to seeing what has worked for others as far as solar options.

 

I use Indoor/outdoor rope lights inside my coop. However, I only have them on while I work inside after dark. Otherwise, they are turned off. The sad thing, is many products are imported from China/Mexico. Especially electrical products. I used to work in a building supply, and there were so few American products then, and probably fewer now. I used Fluorescent tube strip lights in my old coop. The bad thing, when the weather turns cooler, the starter on the fixture gets quirky.

 

I used a thirteen watt CFL on my brooder light fixture and had fabulous egg production all winter long in my 16x20' coop.To me the light was dim, but perfect for the hens (and I didn't have feather plucking either once I adjusted my wattage to a CFL)...I do not have electricity in my coop, but run a heavy duty extension cord off my sun porch. Made "lights out" a lot easier, but will be adding a photo sensor timer to my light plan this winter.