Solar Cameras
During the COVID-19 time, stuck at home with no travel, I upgraded my home automation sensors with photovoltaic energy harvesting . After five years now, I can definitely say this has been working. Practically I'm left with just one battery-powered sensor: it is in a bathroom, and the photovoltaic energy budget there is close to zero (no windows, lit by two dim lightbulbs only very occasionally). All others have been "just running", doing their daily jobs. But this application (pushbutton wireless switches and occupancy sensors) has very low energy requirements. This summer I was attracted by the concept of solar-powered wireless cameras. I have a couple of PoE cameras made by Reolink (they are good and do not require any subscription). I was skeptical about a solar panel ability to power a device like a WiFi camera, but - surprisingly - it works. The camera has been strapped to a tree and overlooks part of my property and the bundled 3W solar panel has so far proven to ...