Solar Powered Surveillance Cameras
Whether you’re worried about porch pirates, or simply want to monitor your home when you’re away for long periods, solar powered surveillance cameras can help. The best solar powered security cameras are reliable and easy to install, while incorporating features such as two-way audio, night vision, and smartphone alerts.
Look for a camera with a high resolution and wide field of view to provide the most detailed footage. Then, consider storage capabilities to ensure the camera can record continuously without running out of power.
1. Continuous Surveillance
Solar-powered security cameras offer continuous surveillance even when they are unattended, providing valuable evidence in the event of a break-in. They also save time and costs associated with extensive wiring setups.
Since solar power relies on sunlight, it’s important to check the sun’s availability in your area before investing in a model. Make sure the solar panel is positioned in a spot that sees direct sunlight at least six hours daily during peak sunlight hours (which vary by location).
Additionally, make sure the battery can provide enough energy to keep your camera operating during cloudy days and nights. Look for models that include solar powered surveillance cameras a backup battery with a large capacity and high weather resistance ratings.
As a bonus, consider choosing a camera with a higher resolution to deliver crisper images that help identify potential intruders. You may also want to opt for a model with a wider field of view to cover more ground in one shot.
If you live in a remote location, consider a solar-powered option with 4G connectivity to transmit video imagery to a monitoring center. This ensures continuous monitoring in remote areas where electricity and wifi aren’t available. Additionally, some solar-powered security cameras offer cloud storage for easy access and safekeeping of recorded footage. This is especially useful for vacation homes and Airbnb rentals that are often unoccupied for extended periods.
2. Environmentally Friendly
Solar power is a green alternative to traditional electricity, and it can help reduce your energy costs. Solar security cameras use solar panels and a solar charge controller to convert sunlight into electricity that can power your surveillance camera system. Solar security cameras are also easy to install and maintenance, because they don’t require any wiring. Plus, they can be used in remote locations where there’s no access to electrical power.
Depending on the climate, solar powered surveillance cameras may not wholesale smart camera be as effective during the winter. This is because the sun doesn’t come out as much in the winter, and it’s likely that your solar panel won’t have enough sunshine to recharge your batteries. However, there are some solar security cameras that have a battery backup system that allows them to function even without sunlight.
These cameras are ideal for remote and off-grid locations that don’t have access to electricity or wifi. They can transmit video images to the property owner over 4G networks or record footage to an SD card for playback later. Plus, they can be operated in the dark to capture clear and color images of any suspicious activity at night. Moreover, some of the best solar powered surveillance cameras can even detect a person or vehicle approaching the camera and alert you via your smartphone app.
3. Easy to Install
Solar powered surveillance cameras work independently from the grid and rely solely on sunlight for power. Their battery-charged solar panels absorb DC (Direct Current) electricity from the sun during daylight hours and convert it into AC (Alternative Current) energy to power the camera. The best solar-powered security cameras offer a variety of smart features like smartphone alerts, remote monitoring, night vision and motion activation.
You can also use them to monitor your home, business or vacation property remotely even when you’re away. Look for models with a large SD card storage capacity that can record many days worth of video. Alternatively, choose a camera that provides cloud storage accessible via the manufacturer’s company app and website.
When choosing a solar-powered security camera, consider key features such as the camera resolution, field of view and solar panel wattage. The camera resolution determines the sharpness of footage and a larger field of view offers better coverage. The solar panel wattage indicates how much power the unit can generate, and the higher the wattage the more energy it produces. If your chosen model is powered by a rechargeable battery, make sure the batteries can store enough energy to keep the camera functioning throughout multiple gray sunless days.
4. Low Maintenance
Unlike traditional wired cameras, solar security cameras don’t need to be connected to the power grid and are completely independent. They have photovoltaic solar panels that convert sunlight into energy to power an internal battery. This ensures continuous surveillance without relying on electricity. This makes them ideal for remote and rural locations. Some models have the solar panel built into their casing, which makes installation even simpler.
Since solar security cameras are mostly installed outside, they need to be weatherproof. They also need to have enough sun exposure to charge their batteries during peak hours, which vary depending on your location. Make sure you pick a spot that receives full sunlight daily during these times, so your camera will work at its best.
If you want to connect your solar powered security camera to your Wi-Fi network and smart home systems, look for a model that supports these functions. This way, you can watch your footage from anywhere and get alerts when suspicious activity occurs. Some solar security cameras work with 4G cellular data, so you can monitor them even in places with little or no Wi-Fi connectivity.
The advantages of solar powered surveillance cameras are numerous, but there are a few things you should keep in mind to choose the right one for your needs. Check if it’s compatible with your current smart home system and whether it supports voice commands. Make sure it has a wide-angle lens and night vision capabilities for maximum effectiveness.
