How Do I Charge My Arlo Camera with the Solar Panel?

Problem Description

You want to charge your Arlo camera using the Arlo solar panel for continuous power without removing the camera to charge. The solar panel mounts outdoors in direct sunlight and connects to the camera via a magnetic charging cable. It needs at least 3-4 hours of direct sunlight daily to keep the camera charged.

Why This Happens in Real Homes

The Arlo solar panel keeps a compatible battery camera charged without you taking it down — but it needs 3-4 hours of direct daily sun and it maintains rather than fast-charges, so a shaded panel or a busy camera can still lose ground.

Start by placing the panel where it gets real direct sun at a good angle, and confirm the connector is fully seated and the cable undamaged. If the battery still drops, the camera is recording more than solar can replace — cut motion events and give it a full manual charge to reset, then let the panel hold it.

Symptoms

• Solar panel not charging
• Battery still dropping
• Unsure of the sun requirement
• Cable/connector issues
• Charge slow in winter
• Panel angle questions
• Which cameras it fits
• Very active camera, always low

Recognize these? Here's what usually causes it.

Common Causes

• Panel getting under 3-4 hours of direct sun
• Poor panel angle or orientation
• Connector not seated or cable damaged
• Camera recording more than solar replaces
• Panel/camera compatibility mismatch
• Panel dirty or shaded by plants
• Short winter days limiting charge
• Battery aged

Tools & Requirements

Step-by-Step Solution

1

Mount the solar panel in direct sunlight

The Arlo solar panel needs at least 3-4 hours of direct sunlight per day to keep the camera battery topped up. Mount it on a south-facing wall, fence, or eave (in the northern hemisphere). Avoid locations shaded by trees, buildings, or overhangs during peak sun hours (10 AM - 2 PM). Angle the panel at approximately your latitude angle for best year-round sun capture.

2

Connect the panel to the camera

Run the magnetic charging cable from the solar panel to the camera charging port. The cable is weatherproof but the connection point should be protected from direct rain if possible. Make sure the magnetic tip is firmly seated on the camera charging port. A loose connection causes intermittent charging. Cable-manage along walls or fences to prevent the cable from being pulled loose by wind or animals.

3

Check charging status in the Arlo app

In the Arlo app, the camera battery indicator shows a charging icon (lightning bolt) when the solar panel is actively providing power. Check this during peak sun hours to confirm the panel is working. If you see no charging indicator during full sun, the cable may be damaged, the connector is dirty, or the panel is not getting enough light. Clean the panel surface with a damp cloth.

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4

Set realistic expectations for solar charging

The Arlo solar panel provides supplemental charging — it extends battery life significantly but may not completely eliminate the need for occasional manual charging. In winter months with short days and low sun angles, the panel generates less power. Heavy camera usage (50+ events per day) consumes more power than the panel can replace. Moderate usage (10-20 events per day) in a sunny location is the sweet spot for solar-only operation.

5

Fix declining charge levels

If the battery level drops steadily despite the solar panel, check these: the panel surface may be dirty (bird droppings, dust, pollen reduce output significantly). The mounting angle may have shifted. Nearby trees may have grown and started shading the panel. Camera usage may have increased (new construction, seasonal animal activity). Also check for a faulty cable — flex it along its length to check for breaks inside the insulation.

Quick Solutions

Still having issues? This is usually the deeper cause below.

Need More Help? Arlo Support

Note: The contact information below connects you directly to Arlo's official customer support team, not Trunetto. They can help with warranty claims, device replacements, and advanced technical issues.

How Does Arlo Compare?

Before replacing your Arlo device, see how it stacks up against alternatives in our full comparison guides.