The Tapo SolarCam Outdoor Wireless Security Camera runs entirely on solar power and includes a backup battery that keeps it going through cloudy days. It outputs footage in 1080p and features full-color night vision up to 30 feet. You’ll avoid false alarms with the SolarCam as well, since it has on-device person detection and you can set up motion zones in the app. If you’ve wanted to add security coverage to your property, but didn’t have access to power, you can mount this camera pretty much anywhere as long as the location gets some sunlight.
A high-quality wireless security camera to keep an eye on your home
Wide-angle coverage spans 125 degrees from a single mounting position, capturing driveways, front yards, or backyards in a single frame without needing to pan or tilt. Two-way audio routes through the camera for short conversations with visitors, delivery people, or anyone else on the property. Color night vision uses a wide-aperture lens to capture available light in low-illumination scenes, with a built-in white-light spotlight for close-range illumination up to 30 feet. Dynamic exposure correction handles transitions between bright daylight and shadowed corners of the camera’s image sensor.
On the solar side, about 45 minutes of direct sunlight per day keeps the battery topped up under standard usage. The included A201 monocrystalline silicon panel mounts with an angle-adjustable bracket for tilting toward the optimal sun exposure. A built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 180 days of backup power on a full charge, covering long cloudy stretches or short periods of panel obstruction.
The camera has a microSD card slot for locally storing up to 512GB of recorded content. You can also purchase an optional Tapo Care cloud subscription for additional features, including cloud storage for clips and more. Two-factor authentication encrypts your stored video feed. In addition, once you have identified the source of the alert via person or motion detection, those alerts are delivered quickly after the event occurs. Each alert also includes a bounding box around the detected subject to help identify the cause.
For locations without easy outlet access, the camera and solar panel together can mount as a unified unit or as separate pieces connected by the included 13-foot extension cable. Sheds, detached garages, side fences, driveways, and vacation properties are typical locations for a wire-free outdoor camera. The price is reduced from the $50 list to $40 in this sale, and it’s a good idea to pick one up ahead of summer, when properties get more outdoor activity.
