Last Updated: Sep 3, 2021
A home burglary occurs every thirteen seconds somewhere in the United States. These 2.5 million yearly home burglaries add up to close to 5 billion dollars in property losses for homeowners in every state in the country. As part of an integrated strategy to combat this severe problem, home security networks are becoming increasingly more advanced. Also, smart home technologies are giving homeowners more control over the protection of their homes and belongings. At least one out of every five homeowners rely on security cameras for keeping their homes safe. But what about when the power is out? Solar-powered smart security cameras add another layer of protection for homeowners.
Solar-powered security cameras offer increased protection from home burglaries by ensuring safety for your home 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Solar-powered security systems include a series of strategically placed cameras around your home to record suspicious movement in critical areas of your house. Today, most household security systems have smart home technology that allows homeowners to view the footage from their security cameras directly on their smartphones. These systems can also connect to a smart home hub and enable homeowners to activate or deactivate lights, window shades, and even door locks as part of an integrated strategy to protect their belongings when nobody is at home.
Solar-powered security cameras are powered entirely by a separate solar panel and battery system. The attached solar panel can function in any area with direct sunlight and charges the battery located inside the camera. A small, incorporated inverter transforms the direct current (DC) from the solar panel into alternating current (AC) that powers the security camera. The solar panel and attached battery are designed to be completely off-grid so that your security camera can function even during extended power outages.
Around 65 percent of home burglaries occur during the daytime hours when no one is at home. Even amateur thieves and burglars regularly cut the power supply to a house to disable security cameras and alarm systems. Then, solar-powered security cameras offer an added layer of protection for homeowners by ensuring that their homes will remain monitored and supervised when the power goes out. One recent report by Climate Central finds that “climate change will increase the risk of more violent weather and more frequent damage to our electrical system, affecting hundreds of millions of people, and costing Americans and the economy tens of billions of dollars each year.”
Backup generators and home battery systems can keep homeowners protected from extended power outages. However, these systems are expensive, with the most recent Tesla Powerwall home battery costing upwards of $7,000 installed. On the other hand, solar-powered security cameras typically cost under $100 and offer around-the-clock home security. These types of security cameras have minimal energy demand. Thus, even during long, cloudy days, the incorporated solar panel can produce more than enough electricity to power the home security system.
Solar-powered smart security systems also permit homeowners to monitor areas of their homes and property where electricity connections are not available. Barns, sheds, backwoods cabins, and boathouses are parts of residential properties that often do not have a hook-up to the electrical grid. Instead of spending thousands of dollars to run an electrical cord to a distant cabin in the woods, a solar-powered security camera can offer needed security on a budget.
Solar-powered security cameras are an excellent solution for homeowners interested in going off-grid and families who want to protect their homes around the clock. Below are specific features to prioritize in the best solar-powered security cameras.
As solar-powered home technologies become more efficient, affordable, and available, more companies will begin to provide solar security solutions. From our research, we review below the top three solar-powered security cameras on the market today.
The company ViaTech provides one of the best solar-powered security cameras on the market. The VPai Smart Security Solar IP Camera comes with a built-in solar panel, rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a full 1080 Pixel High Definition Video.
The camera image also includes infrared night vision, a 105-degree field of view, and optional cloud services for video storage. Motion-activated video alerts along with two-way audio compatibility increase control over this smart security system. The dedicated app works with both Apple and Android systems and includes several innovative features, including instant alerts, bi-directional voice communication, and remote video playback.
For homeowners who want a simple, affordable, and easy-to-use home security system that will offer 24/7 protection, Swann Security offers cameras for under $150.
This solar panel and security camera system provides 1080p HD video, night vision up to 32 meters, and a super-wide 120-degree viewing angle. The system can connect to your home Wi-Fi system, and you get seven days of local storage for your video. This product comes with a 12-month warranty and a free downloadable app that can be useful for remote viewing of your cameras.
The Reolink Argus 2 Solar Security Camera is another high-quality home security system. This camera comes with an internal battery that can either be charged in your home or with a connected solar panel.
The wire-free camera works wholly connected to your home Wi-Fi system, which reduces the need for installing cables throughout your property. The $99.99 camera works with a simple solar panel, which costs $24.99.
So if you are looking for an affordable solution to home security that will work when the power goes out, solar-powered smart home security cameras could be your best bet.
Tobias runs an agroecology farm and a natural building collective in the mountains of El Salvador. He specializes in earthen construction methods and uses permaculture design methods to integrate structures into the sustainability of the landscape.