Everything You Should Know About Solar Powered Security Cameras
Choosing the right security camera can be a daunting task. Most of the time you have to choose between running a wire to power them or regularly recharging the batteries to keep them going. However, solar-powered cameras can combine ease of installation with reliable coverage, keeping the battery charged without needing to be plugged into the grid.
Charge batteries with sunlight
The solar powered camera can be installed without running any wires and without having to access it for charging. With at least two full hours of sunlight per day, most solar-powered security cameras can operate indefinitely, allowing you to “set it and forget it” with your cameras. You can also stop climbing the stairs every few months to pick up your cameras to charge or replace the battery.
Wi-Fi monitoring
Solar powered cameras typically send images and data from security cameras over a secure Wi-Fi connection. Sometimes they can also work over a cellular network, like the new Eufy 4G solar camera, or sometimes use a local Bluetooth connection. Since solar powered security cameras use a wireless signal to transmit information to your phone or local smart home device, you don’t need to run cables for that part either.
Continuous monitoring
Because solar-powered cameras don’t need to go into standby mode to save battery power, they can record continuously rather than periodically when they detect motion. Setting the motion detection area on battery-powered cameras to an area large enough so that you can monitor pets or vehicles in a large space can drain the batteries even faster. A solar-powered camera will allow you to keep an eye on what’s happening on your feed, regardless of whether the motion sensor is triggered, without worrying about running out of power.
Choosing the right battery
To keep your solar powered security camera running on cloudy days, it will need a battery with enough storage capacity to keep it going even on cloudy days. Look for a battery that will last at least one day on a single charge. If you live in an area with a lot of cloudy days, you should look for a battery with a longer lifespan. When choosing a solar-powered camera system, make sure your system’s battery capacity allows it to operate for at least 12 hours on a single charge.
Set up your cameras for success
To ensure sufficient sunlight for continuous operation, the ideal option is to use a solar charger that can be placed on the roof or on a south-facing wall. Optimal sun exposure will keep your camera batteries charged even on cloudy days and at night. Cameras should be placed where the view is desired and high enough to prevent others from reaching and removing them. Since your solar-charged cameras don’t need to be taken out to replace or charge batteries, placing them in a hard-to-reach location won’t pose too many problems down the road.
What to Look for When Buying a Solar Powered Security Camera
Let’s start by saying that when choosing a wireless security camera, you should look for one that is compatible with the smart home devices you already use. Instead of installing multiple access apps, choosing a camera that’s compatible with your existing system will allow you to integrate cameras into the rest of your home. You should also choose a high-resolution camera (HD or higher) so that the footage will be clear when you need to access it. The higher the wattage of your solar charger, the faster it can charge your camera battery. Look for six watts or higher for faster charging.