Will a solar panel work on a cloudy day or in winter?

It'll still generate some charge on an overcast day, just much less than in direct sun, and winter's shorter days and lower sun angle reduce output further. In most climates a well-placed panel still keeps a moderate-traffic camera charged through winter, but a camera in a consistently shaded or north-facing spot may still need occasional manual charging.

Can I add a solar panel to any battery-powered security camera?

No — solar compatibility depends on the camera having the right charging port and firmware support, and it's limited to specific models within a brand's lineup, not every battery camera that brand sells. Check your exact camera model's accessory page before buying a panel.

Do video doorbells work with solar panels?

Almost never. Most video doorbells, including Ring's and Arlo's battery models, don't have solar-compatible charging ports — solar accessories in this category are built for stick-up and spotlight-style cameras, not doorbells. If you want to avoid recharging a doorbell altogether, a wired installation is the more realistic option.

Do I need a charge controller or any extra wiring to install one?

No — every panel here is designed to plug directly into its matching camera's charging port with the included cable, with no separate charge controller or wiring to configure. Installation just means mounting the panel somewhere sunny and aiming it toward the sun's typical path.

Best Solar Panels for Security Cameras

Battery-powered security cameras solve the no-outlet, no-wiring installation problem, but they trade it for a recurring one: pulling the camera down every few weeks or months to recharge it. A solar panel accessory clips onto specific battery cameras and trickle-charges them from direct sunlight, which for most outdoor placements means never manually charging the battery again.

Solar only works as well as the panel's placement — one mounted in shade, facing away from the sun's path, or stuck somewhere during a gray winter won't keep up with a high-traffic camera's drain. And not every battery camera (and almost no video doorbell) has a solar-compatible charging port at all, so check your exact model's compatibility before buying a panel for it.

New to this category? Start with our home security camera & video doorbell buying guide before diving into the picks below.

How we picked: We picked solar panels built or explicitly sold as compatible accessories for specific camera lines, rather than generic solar chargers with a USB cable and a prayer, and included one third-party option for buyers whose camera brand doesn't sell its own panel.

At a glance

#PickWhy it stands outPrice

Ring Solar PanelTop Pickcompatible Ring cameras - Weatherproof, no-drill mounting bracket matches Ring's own camera mountsCheck Amazon

Eufy Solar ChargerRunner-upeufyCam households - Built specifically for Eufy's battery-powered eufyCam line, including the eufyCam 3Check Amazon

Arlo Solar Panel ChargerBest ValueArlo Pro and Ultra series - Official Arlo accessory designed to match Arlo Pro and Ultra camera housingsCheck Amazon

Blink Solar Panel Charging MountAlso greatBlink Outdoor cameras - Combines the mounting bracket and solar charging into one accessory, so there's no separate mount to buyCheck Amazon

Wasserstein Solar PanelAlso greatuniversal pick across multiple brands - Sold in versions matched to several brands' cameras, including Ring, Arlo, and Blink, so most households can find a compatible versionCheck Amazon

The picks in detail

Ring Solar Panel

Top Pick

9.6/10Editor’s score

Best for compatible Ring cameras

Weatherproof, no-drill mounting bracket matches Ring's own camera mounts
Keeps a compatible battery camera topped up indefinitely in most sunny locations
Simple plug-and-play cable with no separate charge controller to configure

Watch out Only works with specific battery-powered Ring cameras, like the Stick Up Cam — Ring's video doorbells aren't solar-compatible, so check your exact model before buying.

Check price on Amazon

Eufy Solar Charger

Runner-up

9.3/10Editor’s score

Best for eufyCam households

Built specifically for Eufy's battery-powered eufyCam line, including the eufyCam 3
Pairs well with Eufy's already-long battery life for near-indefinite runtime outdoors
Adjustable mounting angle helps aim it toward the sun's path rather than straight up

Watch out Doesn't work with Eufy's indoor-only cameras or with other camera brands.

Check price on Amazon

Arlo Solar Panel Charger

Best Value

9.0/10Editor’s score

Best for Arlo Pro and Ultra series

Official Arlo accessory designed to match Arlo Pro and Ultra camera housings
Magnetic charging cable attaches without removing the camera from its mount
Weather-resistant for permanent outdoor installation

Watch out Pricier than third-party options, and only compatible with specific Arlo camera generations.

Check price on Amazon

Blink Solar Panel Charging Mount

Also great

8.7/10Editor’s score

Best for Blink Outdoor cameras

Combines the mounting bracket and solar charging into one accessory, so there's no separate mount to buy
Keeps a Blink Outdoor camera running without swapping AA batteries
Budget-friendly relative to other brands' official solar accessories

Watch out Only fits Blink's Outdoor camera line, not Blink's Mini or doorbell products.

Check price on Amazon

Wasserstein Solar Panel

Also great

8.4/10Editor’s score

Best universal pick across multiple brands

Sold in versions matched to several brands' cameras, including Ring, Arlo, and Blink, so most households can find a compatible version
Generally less expensive than a brand's own official solar panel
Easy adjustable mount for aiming toward direct sun

Watch out Being third-party, it's not guaranteed to be covered by the camera manufacturer's own warranty service.

Check price on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a solar panel work on a cloudy day or in winter?: It'll still generate some charge on an overcast day, just much less than in direct sun, and winter's shorter days and lower sun angle reduce output further. In most climates a well-placed panel still keeps a moderate-traffic camera charged through winter, but a camera in a consistently shaded or north-facing spot may still need occasional manual charging.
Can I add a solar panel to any battery-powered security camera?: No — solar compatibility depends on the camera having the right charging port and firmware support, and it's limited to specific models within a brand's lineup, not every battery camera that brand sells. Check your exact camera model's accessory page before buying a panel.
Do video doorbells work with solar panels?: Almost never. Most video doorbells, including Ring's and Arlo's battery models, don't have solar-compatible charging ports — solar accessories in this category are built for stick-up and spotlight-style cameras, not doorbells. If you want to avoid recharging a doorbell altogether, a wired installation is the more realistic option.
Do I need a charge controller or any extra wiring to install one?: No — every panel here is designed to plug directly into its matching camera's charging port with the included cable, with no separate charge controller or wiring to configure. Installation just means mounting the panel somewhere sunny and aiming it toward the sun's typical path.

Keep reading

Security Cameras Buying Advice

Guide

At a glance

The picks in detail

Ring Solar Panel

Eufy Solar Charger

Arlo Solar Panel Charger

Blink Solar Panel Charging Mount

Wasserstein Solar Panel

Frequently Asked Questions

Keep reading

Security Cameras Buying Advice

Home Security Camera & Video Doorbell Buying Guide