Solar Power Solution
Verified: This solution has been validated through actual deployment β
Compatible Devices: NeoEyes NE101 Series, NeoEyes NE301 Series
1. Solution Overviewβ
Customer Requirementsβ
In outdoor scenarios without grid power (e.g., agricultural monitoring, construction site surveillance, smart city applications), NE101/NE301 smart cameras need to operate stably and capture continuously over extended periods. While the traditional AA battery solution can last for years, it is only suitable for low-frequency triggering (1-10 captures/day). When high-frequency or continuous capture is required, AA battery life is significantly reduced.
This solution uses a solar panel + 7AH rechargeable battery combination. The solar panel charges during the day and the battery powers the device continuously, enabling truly unlimited 24/7 runtime.
Solution Architectureβ
Key Advantagesβ
- Unlimited Runtime: 10W solar panel generates 4,200-7,000 mAh/day, far exceeding the device's maximum power consumption (637 mAh/day), achieving a positive energy balance
- High-Frequency Continuous Capture: Even at 1-minute intervals (1,440 captures/day) in Cat-1 mode, the system operates sustainably, breaking through the limitations of AA battery solutions
- Maintenance-Free: No battery replacement required β deploy once and operate long-term, significantly reducing maintenance costs
- Quick Deployment: Minimal components (solar panel + battery box + DC cable), supports both wall and pole mounting, setup in under 10 minutes
Bill of Materials (BOM)β
| Item | Specification | Qty | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Camera | NeoEyes NE101 or NE301 | 1 | Edge AI capture and data upload |
| Solar Power Kit | 10W solar panel + 7AH rechargeable battery | 1 | Solar charging and energy storage, includes battery box, DC cable, and mounting clamps |
Power Interface: NE101/NE301 draws power directly from the battery compartment's rear power connector. The solar kit's DC cable connects seamlessly without additional modifications.
2. Hardware Connectionβ
Connection Stepsβ
| Step | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount the solar panel | Install in an unobstructed location, panel facing south (Northern Hemisphere), tilted at 30-45Β° |
| 2 | Mount the battery box | Secure to wall or pole using clamps, avoid direct sunlight exposure |
| 3 | Connect panel to battery | Use the included cable, connect with correct polarity |
| 4 | Connect DC power cable | One end to battery box DC 5V output, the other end to camera's battery compartment rear power connector |
Installation Methodsβ
| Method | Suitable Scenarios | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Wall Mount | Building walls, fences, bridge piers | Use clamps to secure to flat surfaces |
| Pole Mount | Poles, light poles, tree trunks | Use clamps to wrap around cylindrical supports |
Installation Tips:
- Install the solar panel in an unobstructed location with ample sunlight
- Seal cable pass-through holes with waterproof grommets or tape
- Keep the distance between camera and solar panel within 3 meters
Capture Frequency Configurationβ
Configure the capture interval via the Web UI (Capture Settings β Timed Capture), supporting second-level and minute-level intervals. For recommended frequencies by scenario, refer to the power consumption table.
3. Power Consumption & Battery Life Analysisβ
Device Power Consumptionβ
The following data is from official NE301 testing. NE101 power characteristics are similar:
| Communication Mode | Operating Current | Duration | Energy per Capture | Peak Current |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | 70 mA | ~11 s | 0.214 mAh | 300-500 mA |
| Cat-1 GL912 (Global) | 110 mA | ~14 s | 0.428 mAh | 500 mA-2 A |
| Cat-1 NA915 (North America) | 119 mA | ~13.4 s | 0.443 mAh | 500 mA-2 A |
Sleep power consumption: 6.1 ΞΌA (~0.15 mAh/day), negligible in calculations.
Daily Power Consumption and Battery Life by Frequencyβ
| Capture Frequency | Daily Consumption (WiFi) | Daily Consumption (Cat-1) | 7AH Battery Life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Every 30 min | 10.27 mAh | 20.54 mAh | WiFi ~682 days / Cat-1 ~341 days |
| Every 15 min | 20.54 mAh | 41.09 mAh | WiFi ~341 days / Cat-1 ~170 days |
| Every 5 min | 61.63 mAh | 123.26 mAh | WiFi ~114 days / Cat-1 ~57 days |
| Every 1 min | 308.16 mAh | 616.32 mAh | WiFi ~23 days / Cat-1 ~11 days |
Solar Charging & Sustainabilityβ
With 4-5 hours of peak daily sunlight and ~70% charging efficiency, the 10W solar panel generates approximately 4,200-7,000 mAh/day, far exceeding the device's maximum daily consumption:
The dashed line represents the minimum daily charging capacity (4,200 mAh). Even at 1-minute intervals in Cat-1 mode, charging capacity is 6.8x the consumption.
Overcast Backup: The 7AH (7,000 mAh) battery provides a buffer during consecutive overcast days β WiFi at 5-minute intervals sustains ~114 days, Cat-1 at 1-minute intervals sustains ~11 days. Actual battery life varies with temperature and battery aging.
4. Demoβ
Document Version: v1.0 Last Updated: 2026-04-13