While they do not come with a solar panel, you can still recharge the internal battery with solar via USB, or a battery power pack, or USB/120v. They also can be used with replaceable batteries, rechargeable or not. They are bright enough ( more of a floodlight), and adjustable. I bought them for camping to light up our area for things that might pass through. Way more versatile than the ones with the little solar panel which will not typically charge up completely, and gives you no other way to charge them. I would say that they might not be handy for mounting up high due to the need to take them down to recharge.
I bought the extended warranties because I have no way of knowing the quality of the LED's. Worth the $5 in my opinion.
Not sure if they would be completely weather proof, but don't know that for sure.
I bought two of these, and will update this review if needed.