What are the Best Solar-Powered Outdoor Cameras?
3rd November 2019
If you’re concerned about intruders, want to spy on a mischievous pet or looking to increase security, these outdoor cameras keep tabs on what’s happening around your home.
Solar-powered cameras can offer a more cost-effective and green-friendly way to monitor outdoor areas, especially off-grid homes or remote areas. By utilising solar, you benefit from the sun’s natural energy to charge and run outdoor security cameras. Whilst it’s still important to choose a camera with an internal power bank as backup for nighttime or cloudy days, solar power extends your camera’s battery life.
Self-sufficient systems can be sold in bundles which include the solar panel and a solar-powered security camera with rechargeable batteries. Alternatively, outdoor cameras with solar capabilities and the panel can be purchased individually to use together.
Here are the top outdoor cameras powered by solar for 2019.
3G SIM Wildlife Trail Outdoor Camera
The Wildlife trail camera is ideal for outdoor home security, hunting and wildlife surveillance needs.
It comes equipped with 3G cellular service to ensure you get your desired coverage, with a weather-resistant body specifically designed for outdoor use and ability to notify you of intrusive or visiting human or wildlife trespasses.
Top Features:
- May be used with batteries and solar panel
- Smart in-app alerts and push notifications sent to your mobile device (Apple + Android) to alert you immediately of any activity
- 56-piece infrared LED sensor detects and triggers upon movement
- No glow LEDs and camouflage design for covert cover
- 20 metres of clear night vision to capture movement with accuracy
- Photos, video footage and streaming in 1080p HD footage
- Regular and 100-degree wide-angle lens for ultimate coverage
- Simple and quick to install and use
- Time-lapse monitoring
- 0.4 seconds trigger speed (1-5 photos per trigger) to stay ahead of movement
- Time-lapse and schedules recording
- Can be easily tied or mounted to tree
Considerations:
- Only compatible with Telestra SIM cards
- To use with solar, invest in a compact panel with built-in lithium batteries that’ll generate enough power to keep the camera going when the sun isn’t shining
1080p Scouting Trail Camera
If you’re looking for outdoor home security but don’t need instant notifications sent to your mobile when there’s activity, the Scouting Trail Camera records all movement day or night to stream via TV at home.
Using the camera powered with a solar panel will allow it to access the sun’s power first, before using its own batteries. However, you can still equip your camera with batteries for added back-up.
Top Features:
- Usable as battery or solar-powered with panel
- Images and video footage are recoded to an internal SD card to view from PC
- Durable, waterproof enclosure with an IP54 rating (Ingress Protection Rating)
- Long battery life of up to 6 months standby
- 56-piece infrared LED sensor detects and triggers upon movement
- Multi-shot photos (1-7 per trigger)
- 15 metres of clear night vision
- Best for farm or remote home use or to observe wildlife, property or warehouse/construction sites
Considerations:
- Extend battery life and power with clean renewable energy using a lightweight, weather-proof solar panel. Our 2W panel with built-in lithium batteries generates power for 1,000 images (full sunlight) or 5,000 images (cloudy/overcast days)
- Infrared can suck a lot of power from the camera. Even if you’re combining with solar, it’s important to purchase a camera with good battery life and maximum amount of charges (cycles)
Arlo Pro 2 Home Security Camera
Although smaller and less durable than some other outdoor cameras, the Arlo Pro 2 offers high image quality and combined with the solar panel only needs 5-6 hours of direct sunlight to keep batteries fully charged.
Top Features:
- Flexibility to operate on battery power and solar panel
- Solar panel addition is completely wire-free
- Integrated alarm built into the base unit and programmed to sound if motion is detected
- Easy to install and configure
- Steady low-power Wi-Fi connection
Considerations:
- Unable to record continuous motion without a paid subscription
- Can leave gaps between video clips
- Paid subscription also allows for more cloud-based storage
- Because it’s wire-free it can be easier for thieves to steal if seen
Ring Spotlight Solar Camera
Combining an outdoor security camera with surveillance spotlight, this camera/light combo operates on battery and solar, once attached to the external panel.
The camera is simple but effective, offering a low-maintenance way to monitor your outdoor area. It’s an ideal home security choice if budget is tight or you don’t want to replace existing outdoor lighting.
Top Features:
- Sharp video quality with a bright spotlight to deter intruders
- Twin LED strips
- Sends instant notifications to your smartphone and ability to access live feed
- Built-in siren which can be set to alarm when motion is detected
- 140-degree field of view with motion sensor
- 1080p with night vision capabilities
- Wi-Fi radio with speaker and microphone for two-way audio
- Compatible with Alexa Voice
- Simple and quick installation, with a step-by-step tutorial
Considerations:
- Lacks pre-buffered recording capabilities
- Only includes cloud storage for a free 30-day trial, then it’s a paid subscription
- Bad weather can obscure the camera view from the inside
- Has space for two batteries for backup power but LED strips drain the battery more than other cameras
For more information about which solar powered outdoor camera best suits your security needs, contact our team who can help with the buying process or follow our blog for more tips.
