Trail camera solar panels, explained
SPYPOINT SPLB-22 solar panel with battery
$127.00 listed price, changes oftenWhat does a solar panel actually do for a trail camera?
A solar panel trickle-charges the camera's internal battery or a battery pack through the day, so instead of running down a fresh set of AAs over weeks, the camera tops itself back up whenever the sun hits the panel. It does not remove the battery from the picture entirely, since the camera still runs off stored battery power at night and on cloudy days; the panel just slows or stops the drain rather than eliminating it. Estimate your own numbers with the battery life calculator before deciding if solar is worth the extra cost for your setup.
6V or 12V, what is the difference?
Voltage has to match what the camera or battery pack expects, so this is not a "bigger is better" choice. Most compact cellular trail cameras, including the SPYPOINT and Moultrie Edge lines, run on 6V panels like the SPYPOINT SPLB-22 solar panel with battery or the Moultrie Solar Power Pack Gen 2. Larger security-style 4G cameras, closer to a home security camera than a trail camera, more often use 12V systems. A dual-voltage panel like the Zonkasion 6V/12V solar panel or the WingHome 6V/12V solar panel kit covers both, which is useful if you run cameras from more than one brand or category.
Does the camera still need an internal battery with solar attached?
Yes, always. A solar panel with no battery in the loop cannot power a camera at night or through several cloudy days in a row, so every solar setup pairs the panel with either the camera's own AA batteries or a dedicated pack like the Azonpower 5Ah battery for Moultrie Edge or the Stealth Cam 12V external battery. Think of the panel as extending how long the batteries last, not replacing them.
Solar options by voltage and price
| Panel | Voltage | Includes battery | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPYPOINT SPLB-10 | 6V | Yes | $59.99 |
| SPYPOINT SPLB-22 | 6V | Yes | $127.00 |
| Moultrie Solar Power Pack Gen 2 (3.4W) | 6V | Yes | $75.00 |
| RISERO solar panel for Tactacam | 6V | No (panel only) | $43.99 |
| Zonkasion 6V/12V solar panel | 6V or 12V | No (panel only) | $29.99 |
| WingHome 6V/12V solar panel kit | 6V or 12V | No (panel only) | $64.99 |
Does solar pay for itself versus lithium AAs?
Often within the first year on a camera checked regularly with steady sun. A set of Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA (8-pack) costs around $12 and might last a couple of months on a busy cellular camera, so that is roughly $60 to $70 a year in batteries alone on a high-traffic spot. A $60 to $130 solar setup that eliminates most of that spend pays for itself in one to two seasons and keeps paying off every year after. On a quiet, low-traffic camera that barely triggers, batteries might already last most of a year on their own, and the payback math is far weaker.
How much sun does a solar panel need under tree cover?
More than most hunters expect. A panel mounted in deep timber with only dappled light for a couple of hours a day will trickle-charge slowly at best and may not keep up with a camera that triggers often at night. The better approach is aiming the panel toward the nearest gap in the canopy, even if that means it does not point in exactly the same direction as the camera lens, since most panels can be angled somewhat independently of the camera body.
Do you still need lithium batteries as backup?
Yes, keep a spare set on hand. A run of cloudy days, a panel knocked loose by wind or an animal, or a spot that gets less sun than expected can all leave a solar-equipped camera relying on its stored battery alone, and lithium AAs like Allmax Lithium AA (24-pack) or NINMAX Lithium AA (24-pack) are worth having in the truck regardless of whether the camera is solar-powered. Solar reduces how often you need them, it does not remove the need entirely.
Gear mentioned in this guide
Listed prices change often; the button shows the current price.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a 6V or 12V solar panel for my trail camera?
Most compact cellular trail cameras (SPYPOINT, Moultrie Edge, Tactacam) run on 6V. Larger security-style 4G cameras more often use 12V. Check your specific camera or battery pack's spec sheet before buying, since using the wrong voltage panel can fail to charge the battery or, in some setups, damage it.
Can a solar panel run a trail camera with no batteries at all?
No. Every solar setup still needs a battery in the loop, either the camera's own AAs or a dedicated battery pack, to power the camera at night and through cloudy stretches. The panel recharges that battery during the day rather than replacing it.
Is a solar panel worth it for a low-traffic trail camera?
Less so. If the camera barely triggers and a set of lithium AAs already lasts most of a season, the extra $30 to $130 for a solar panel takes much longer to pay back than it does on a busy cellular camera that burns through batteries every month or two.
Does a solar panel work well in dense timber?
Not as well as in open sun. Deep tree cover with only brief, dappled light can leave a panel unable to keep up with a camera's daily power draw, especially one that triggers often at night. Aim the panel toward the nearest canopy gap rather than matching the camera's exact angle.
Do universal solar panels fit any trail camera?
Panels marketed as universal, like the Aothaigro universal trail camera solar panel, use a common port size and voltage meant to fit a range of cameras, but always check the connector type and voltage against your specific camera model before buying, since not every brand uses the same plug.
Researched from published specifications, brand plan lists and verified owner reviews; we do not claim hands-on testing. General information, not professional, legal or security advice. Trail camera rules differ by state: some restrict transmitting cameras during hunting seasons or on public land, so check your state wildlife agency. Recording and audio laws vary; only record where you have the right to.