Your security needs shouldn’t compromise in front of geographically challenging environments.
And that’s where the solar security cameras come in. A solar powered security camera can be used to monitor the off-grid places or remote areas where running cables would be impossible or overly expensive, such as the constructions sites, barns, farms, rural houses, etc.
Next, we’ll break down all you need to know about solar powered WiFi security cameras and help you navigate the best option for your surveillance application.
What Are Solar Powered Security Cameras
Solar security cameras, or solar panel security cameras, use the solar panel to get power and require no electric sources or cablings. By utilizing the solar power, you can get the best from natural resources to charge and run the solar powered security cameras systems, without subscription charges or monthly fees. Normally, a self-sufficient wireless solar security camera system is sold in bundles, including a solar panel and a solar security camera with rechargeable batteries. Or you can also buy a DIY solar powered security camera and use a solar panel to power your camera.
Taking 2 solar powered wire-free security camera, for example, it comes with a rechargeable battery and offers a customized solar panel (requires a separate purchase) for your options to get non-stop power.
One of the TOP benefits, is that you can install a solar-powered WiFi security camera anywhere you wish. In rainy or foggy days, the solar security cameras can still work as normal – sufficient sunlight is absolutely the best! As more and more consumers like you resort to a “green” security solution, you may catch sight of the solar powered security cameras scattering everywhere when you look up.
How Do Solar Security Cameras Work
Solar powered security cameras use high-grade solar panels to capture the sun’s rays and convert the sunlight into direct current (DC).
Afterward, an inverter will change the direct current to alternating current (AC), which can be utilized to power solar security IP cameras and batteries for continued use. When the sunlight is not available, the solar powered security cameras can still get power from the rechargeable batteries which stores excess electrical power generated by the solar panel.
Watch out: in contrast with the common belief, solar cameras can also generate electricity in rainy or cloudy days, since visible light can also get through rain and clouds.
But undoubtedly, the efficiency of solar powered surveillance cameras will decrease on rainy or cloudy days, so maximum direct sunlight is conducive for the solar-powered CCTV security cameras to achieve the best performance. And since the outdoor solar powered security cameras come with the weatherproof design, you don’t need to worry about them on rainy days. Indeed, the occasional rain might be a blessing – free cleaning of your solar panel for security cameras!
Government Incentives for Solar Powered WiFi Security Cameras
The solar security cameras, with a self-renewing and clean power source, are gaining increasing attention and popularity as the public are becoming more environmentally conscious nowadays. To encourage the adoption of solar power technology, the government of many countries, such as US, UK, Canada, etc., are offering incentives (tax credits, rebates, FIT program, etc.) for installed solar, like solar cameras.
Thanks to the solar incentives, statistics show that the price for solar, including solar-powered wireless security camera systems, has decreased by 70% while the number of installed solar has increased by 6,000% from 2005 to 2014. Given the fact that solar powered security cameras are bound to be an irreversible tide, it is best to buy solar powered wireless home security cameras now to catch up with the market trend. Besides, the solar security cameras for your home/business can also help reduce the insurance and provide proofs when you need to lodge claims.
Top 6 Benefits of Solar Powered Security Cameras
Now, let’s look into the advantages of solar powered security cameras to see what you can expect from them.
1. Flexible Locations
A solar powered security camera requires no cables and power grid to work. So it can be used in various surveillance applications, such as remote sites or geographically challenging environments. The typical sites where you can install a solar powered surveillance camera include, but are not limited to your vacation houses, sheds, construction sites, vineyards, farms, barns, boats, warehouses, RVs, etc.
2. Easy to Install & Move
The DIY solar powered wireless security cameras are fast to install in any locations you desire, as you don’t need to run any messy cables or drill holes, which is quite a cost-effective security option. You also have the freedom to move your solar security cameras as the project advances or completes or when you move to another place.
Better yet, you can easily move your solar security cameras when a project advances or completes and take your solar IP cameras to a new site.
Video Transcription
The solar security camera is highly portable and flexible, with no cords, no wiring, and no drilling. You can place it indoors and outdoors as you like, such as the front door, backyard, nursery room, a temporary construction site, etc.
3. Environmental-Friendly
Powered by the renewable sunlight, the solar cameras won’t destroy the environment or cause any pollution as the waste and disposable batteries do.
What’s more, creating an infrastructure to support traditional surveillance systems can be disruptive. Solar powered surveillance cameras require no infrastructure and can allow such areas as wetlands to be preserved.
4. Day & Night Monitoring
As explained above, the solar-powered wireless security IP cameras can be powered by the rechargeable batteries at night when sunlight is not available. And the WiFi solar security cameras of some reputable brands are packed with starlight sensors that can provide brilliant color night vision — a big leap compared with other security cameras.
Below is the color night vision image captured by the wireless solar-powered surveillance camera with movement sensor.
5. Easy to Scale
The solar-powered security cameras also come as a flexible and scalable solution if you would like to add 2 or 3 more cameras later. In virtue of the security camera viewer, you can also watch a live viewing of multiple solar IP cameras simultaneously on your smartphone.
6. Long Lifespan of Solar Powered Security Cameras
Most manufacturers of solar panels offer a 25-year standard warranty, which means the solar panel for security cameras can still produce no less than 80% power after 25 years and it also requires little maintenance.
What to Consider When Buying Solar Powered Security Cameras
During your selection process of best solar powered security cameras, here are some key factors you shouldn’t definitely miss.
1. How Much Electricity Can the Solar Panel for Security Cameras Produce
The amount of electricity a solar panel for solar security cameras can generate is determined by the size and efficiency of the panel, the amount of sunlight, etc. A typical solar panel can produce around 265 watts of power. More efficient panels might be more expensive. And the amount of sunlight a panel can get has much to do with your location.
To get maximum sunlight for your outdoor solar powered security camera systems, place your solar panel towards the sun’s position at noon to get the most of the natural resources. Also keep your solar panel away from possible obstacles, such as the shade created by a nearby tree or bush.
2. What Battery Size Do Your Solar Powered Security Cameras Need
The rechargeable batteries are used to power your solar power security cameras in case the sunlight is not available.
To ensure you have adequate power to support your wireless solar powered security cameras, the batteries need to be at least 10 times the capacity of the maximum output of the solar panel. Otherwise, the batteries for solar security cameras might be damaged due to overcharging.
The shortcut to save such trouble of selecting batteries for your solar powered security cameras is to buy a solar IP camera with rechargeable batteries included. And if you’d like to add a battery back-up for your solar powered surveillance cameras, you may directly consult the camera sellers about the recommended models.
3. Where Will the Solar Security Cameras Save Footage
The solar-powered security cameras with SD card might be good options if you prefer to record motion-activated videos locally with no subscription fees. You can also easily playback and manage the videos of wireless solar powered surveillance cameras with movement sensors saved on memory card via your phones.
Another alternative is to store the videos of solar security cameras on the cloud service, from which you can access your data from anywhere on a mobile device that has an Internet connection.
4. Do You Have WiFi in the Place Where Wireless Solar Security Cameras Are Installed
The WiFi solar powered security cameras with motion sensor can send you instant alerts when there is an Internet connection. You can also watch a live viewing of the solar-powered wireless home security cameras on your smartphone.
Worry not if the monitoring place has no network!
The solar-powered security cameras with SD card (slot) can still record motion detection events onboard even there is no WiFi/Internet. But if you want to watch a live feed of your WiFi solar powered security camera or receive instant alerts, the Internet connection is a must.
Article Provided By: Reolink
If you would like liquidvideotechnologies.com to discuss developing your Home Security System, Networking, Access Control, Fire, IT consultant or PCI Compliance, please do not hesitate to call us at 864-859-9848 or you can email us at deveren@liquidvideotechnologies.com.
Recent Comments