AIKANJIA · CAMERA SOURCING
Solar, DC power, WiFi or 4G: which camera fits?
Choose power and connectivity separately. Solar and DC describe how a camera is powered; WiFi and cellular describe its network connection. A solar camera can have a WiFi variant or a cellular variant.
Start with the site
PVsyst treats solar sizing as an energy estimate involving solar input, battery capacity and the required autonomy, followed by detailed checks with real components. Cisco describes WiFi as a local wireless network. These answer different installation questions: whether the camera can stay powered, and how it will connect.
Sources: PVsyst stand-alone sizing, Cisco WiFi network overview. Public guidance reviewed 23 October 2026. Product examples: supplied factory brochure; configuration subject to quotation.
Make the power decision
| Site condition | Starting point | What the sample must establish |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor location without a planned external supply | Investigate a solar configuration | Seasonal charging, shade, usable battery energy and operation through your required charging gap |
| Outdoor location with an external supply | Investigate the DC12V outdoor family | Exact input, adapter, cable run and restart after a power interruption |
| Powered indoor location | Investigate the DC5V indoor family | Power input, mounting or fitting, viewing area and indoor installation instructions |
A solar panel does not promise continuous recording or a particular run time. Use the solar energy checklist for a site-specific trial. For an exposed installation, also review enclosure and installation evidence.
Then make the network decision
Where a compatible WiFi network is available at the mounting point, evaluate the WiFi variant with the actual router and internet connection. For a cellular enquiry, identify the destination operator and request the camera's supported bands and SIM requirements. Test coverage and remote viewing at the intended position. A catalogue entry offering variants does not mean one unit switches between both.
The WiFi versus cellular checklist covers SIM activation, data usage and service costs. App and storage questions belong in the V380 Pro planning checklist.
Catalogue examples for an enquiry
- QL31 three-lens solar camera: solar-panel power, with WiFi / 4G variants in the catalogue.
- QD18 three-lens outdoor PTZ camera: DC12V, with WiFi / 4G variants.
- Q8 single-lens indoor camera: DC5V and WiFi.
These are configuration starting points, not site suitability or network-compatibility guarantees. Compare all solar, outdoor PTZ and indoor references.