Once a tree drops its leaves in autumn, it can be stored in a dark place, it does not need light, as there is no significant photosynthesis going on. I store my tender trees in a dark, underground well house. No lights, just a fan for air movement. Being 5 feet below the surface, with a concrete slab roof, the temperature stays at or above freezing all winter.
But the key is, no leaves, and temperatures below 40 F or 4 C and there will be no significant photosynthesis. So no light needed. If or when your winter storage area heats up to temps warmer than 40 F or 4 C, the metabolism of the trees, maples are notoriously quick to respond, the metabolism will pick up and they will start growing. I have had trees start growing in the dark with elongated weak growth due to lack of light. The cause was the temperature of the well house had risen above 40 F. So if the ground warms early, this can be a problem. But normally there is only a week or two where I am shuffling plants in and out to avoid night time frosts and freezes.
Once a plant starts growing it looses its cold tolerance and late frosts and freezes can damage the tree. This is why I personally consider storing a tree for the winter simply by setting it on the ground outdoors for the winter superior to putting in a shed or well house or some structure. Just set on the ground you are less likely to get early growth before the last hard freeze.
