There is a good chance the initially-charged higher capability new cell was able to power the led for more days without being recharged by the assembly.
So check the charging circuitry is performing, not only its panel.
Measure the (connected - in place) cell at dark and at full sunlight. If no difference in voltage, is not getting charged.
0 volts at dark, 2.02 volts with full sunlight...
They rust away in a couple of months (rain or condensation) while Energizer cells do not rust.
The solar garden lights are made very cheaply using the cheapest Chinese Ni-MH batteries they can find. The batteries do not produce the mAh marked on them and they might be old Ni-Cad instead of newer Ni-MH.The most expensive ones- that I can find on the supermarket shelves- Duracell - is also made in CHina. They have never leaked but they do not last either.
It is impossible that your 2300mAh Ni-MH cell charges as high as 2.02V. A good one charges to 1.4V or 1.5V. Maybe you measured the voltage from the solar panel without a battery?
I replaced all my Chinese 600mAh batteries that are probably almost full of sand and rust away in a couple of months, with Energizer 2300mAh cells and they work fine for years.
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