Enter your camera's average power draw and desired cloudy-day backup to size a solar panel for reliable off-grid operation.
Wi-Fi cameras with frequent motion-triggered recording draw noticeably more than a basic low-power model — check your specific camera's average (not peak) power spec for accuracy.
A security camera has no downtime — it needs to run 24/7 regardless of weather, which makes battery backup for cloudy stretches more important than raw panel size for this specific use case. A small dedicated panel and battery, similar in concept to a solar attic fan setup but sized for continuous rather than daytime-only operation, is usually enough for a single remote camera.
Battery-style cameras with motion-activated recording average very little (often under 2-5W), while continuously-streaming wired-style cameras running on solar can average 5-10W or more, so checking your specific model's spec sheet matters.
Yes — winter's shorter days and lower sun angle reduce panel output significantly, so sizing around your worst-case season (usually winter) rather than a summer average avoids camera downtime when you may need it most.