I installed a $17 solar panel onto my doorbell camera, and it's easily my best smart home investment

At a glance:

• EverExceed 5W solar panel (≈7 × 6.5 in, IP65, $16) can keep a battery‑powered doorbell camera charged even in typical UK weather.
• Simple DIY mounting uses the panel’s 10‑ft cable, adjustable wall bracket and basic tools; aim south‑facing at roughly 45° for best output.
• Works with Arlo, Blink, Ring and other USB‑chargeable cameras via USB‑C/USB‑A adapters and waterproofing, removing the need to recharge batteries every few weeks.

How the setup works

The EverExceed panel is a compact 5‑watt unit that ships with a 10‑foot cable ending in a convertible micro‑USB/USB‑C connector. Its IP65 rating protects it from rain, and it operates from –4 °F to 122 °F, making it suitable for the damp, variable climate of the United Kingdom. When positioned correctly, the panel can harvest enough daylight to lift a typical doorbell‑camera battery from roughly 75 % to a full charge in a single day, even on overcast days.

The panel includes a 360°‑adjustable wall bracket made mostly of plastic but engineered to survive high winds and storms. Installation is straightforward: screw the bracket into a sturdy surface (a wooden shed or the box’s side wall works well), attach the panel, route the cable through a drip loop, and connect it to the camera’s charging port. A drip loop and a dab of silicone caulk around any wall penetrations keep moisture out, while cable clips or simple duct‑tape and a staple gun prevent the cable from flapping and rubbing.

Installation tips

Positioning is the most critical factor. In the northern hemisphere you want the panel facing true south and free of shadows. The tilt should match your latitude or, as a rule of thumb, sit at about a 45‑degree angle if you don’t want to calculate the exact elevation. The built‑in Measure app on iPhone or a variety of Android utilities can help you verify both direction and angle.

Because the panel’s cable is only ten feet long, you have some flexibility in where you mount it relative to the camera. Run the cable through a drip loop before it enters any enclosure, then secure it with self‑adhesive cable clips or, for a quick fix, duct tape and a staple gun. If you’re attaching the panel to a metal surface, consider using the supplied screws and wall fasteners, and pre‑drill a pilot hole to avoid cracking the bracket.

Performance and compatibility

During a few weeks of real‑world testing the author reported that the panel consistently topped up the camera battery from 75 % to 100 % in a single day, despite frequent cloud cover. No corrosion or damage was observed on the panel or cable, indicating the IP65 seal held up well.

The panel supplies 5 V via USB, so any doorbell camera with a USB‑chargeable battery can be powered. The sales page notes incompatibility with Arlo, Blink or Ring, but the author found it worked fine after using a USB‑C‑to‑USB‑C adapter for Arlo’s magnetic connector and adding shrink‑tube for waterproofing. For Blink or Ring cameras that use a standard micro‑USB or USB‑C port, a simple cable connection is sufficient, though a dab of silicone caulk around the junction adds extra protection.

Why it matters for smart homes

Battery‑powered cameras are popular because they avoid running power cables through walls, but the trade‑off is regular battery swaps or recharging trips. A low‑cost solar panel eliminates that recurring maintenance, reduces waste, and keeps the camera online even during power outages. At $16 per unit (with multi‑pack discounts), the EverExceed panel offers a high return on investment for hobbyists and small‑scale property managers alike.

The DIY nature of the solution also showcases how consumers can extend the life of existing smart‑home hardware without waiting for manufacturer‑issued accessories. As solar‑panel efficiency improves and prices continue to fall, we can expect more homeowners to adopt similar off‑grid power hacks for a range of IoT devices.