Tapo Solar Panel fails to charge the Battery Cameras
Recent updates may have expanded access to feature(s) discussed in this FAQ. Visit your product's support page, select the correct hardware version for your device and check either the Datasheet or the firmware section for the latest improvements added to your product.
First, please go to the Device Settings>>Battery Status page>>Battery Level to determine if the issue is:
1. The solar panel cannot charge the camera battery at all.
2. The solar panel can only charge the camera battery intermittently.
The horizontal axis represents the dates and the vertical axis represents the battery level as a percentage.
1. Check if it's a solar panel or a camera issue, does the original power adapter charge the camera properly?
2. Make sure the appearance of the solar panel is not damaged.
3. Make sure the Solar Panel and Camera charging cable are plugged in tightly.
4. Make sure the installation location is unobstructed and has enough sunlight.
5. Make sure there is no dirt/pollution. Please use a dry cloth to clean it and see if it works
1. Make sure the camera has been upgraded to the latest firmware.
2. Re-insert the charging cable to avoid bad contact. Ensure a stable connection between the solar panel and the camera.
3. Make sure the battery level is not excessively high before recharging.
The battery camera's charging chip has a built-in protection mechanism to prevent repeated charging from affecting the battery life. The camera should only be recharged once the battery power drops to around 90% of full capacity.、
4. Adjust the Installation location and angle for better performance. The position and tilt angle of the solar panel greatly affect the solar efficiency.
- Choose a location where the solar panel gets the most sunlight throughout the year.
- Position the panel south-facing in the Northern Hemisphere or north-facing in the Southern Hemisphere. The recommended tilt angle between the panel and the horizontal ground is 35° ~ 45°.
- Regularly wipe the panel to remove dust and debris.
- Avoid being obstructed by leaves, buildings, etc.
5. Make sure the working temperature is suitable.
The suitable temperature for the Tapo Solar Panel is about -20℃~45℃, while the range for battery charging should be maintained at about 0℃~45℃.
The camera's battery has multiple safeguards such as over-charging protection, short-circuiting protection, over-heating protection, and more, which secure the battery charging. Sometimes the battery doesn’t charge, it may be because the battery protection mechanism is triggered.
Please contact TP-Link technical support with the following information if you still encounter issues with the Solar Panel after the above suggestions.
1. Did it work normally before? How long have you been using it before the problem occurred?
2. Has there been any extreme weather like heavy rain?
3. Has the solar panel been dropped before?
4. Photos of the usage scenario
5. Photos of the front and back of the Solar panel, and clear photos of the label so that we can check the SN code.
