We explore the top features of Solar Surveillance Trailers and outline why they are indispensable for temporary or off-grid security requirements.
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If you're looking for a temporary security solution for your construction jobsite, or a system to provide targeted surveillance at an off-grid location, then your research has likely led you to Mobile Solar Surveillance Trailers.
By operating independently of power and internet, and removing the need for a structure to mount security cameras, Solar Surveillance Trailers have become the security solution of choice for industries ranging from Law Enforcement to Solar Farms and Auto Dealerships.
As with any rapidly emerging technology, the marketplace for Solar Surveillance Trailers is not short on choice, so how do you separate the market leaders from their cheap imitations?
To help those considering Solar Trailers with making a confident and well-informed decision on the supplier to use, we have compiled a checklist of the top features to look out for and why they matter.
Essentially, the clue is in the name: Mobile Solar Surveillance Trailer. These systems combine surveillance camera technology and solar panels mounted to a moveable trailer base.
The units will be equipped with solar panels that power internal batteries, one or more security cameras fixed to the top of a raised mast, and a range of additional security devices such as voice-down audio, sirens, alarms, and flashing lights.
This combination of features allows Mobile Solar Surveillance Trailers to be quickly deployed to any location that requires temporary or targeted security coverage but lacks the power and/or internet facilities to support fixed security cameras.
Below are the main features that set Mobile Solar Surveillance Trailers apart from other security solutions.
It is recommended for optimal security that these 8 features should be involved as a minimum requirement:
The primary purpose of a Solar Surveillance Trailer is to protect your site, building, or land from their associated security risks, and to record live video evidence in instances where an incident has taken place.
The cameras utilized on the top of the Solar Trailer’s mast provide both detection and documentation to protect your site as needed.
The specification, quality, and number of cameras will vary between manufacturers, but every Trailer will have at least one camera fitted.
We offer up to 4 cameras to be attached to our Surveillance Trailers to provide you with the best security coverage.
There are some key features to look out for and these are as follows:
If the security cameras are the brains of the solar trailer, then the solar power is the beating heart of the solution.
Solar Surveillance Trailers offer autonomous power alongside wireless security cameras, eliminating the need for external power sources.
This is what allows them to be deployed to off-grid locations, places where standard security cameras can't reach, or as a plug-and-play solution for temporary surveillance needs.
Key features to look out for:
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The third and final core piece of the Solar Surveillance Trailer jigsaw is the rapid deployment capability and portability delivered by the unit itself.
Solar Surveillance Trailers are typically incredibly easy to deploy, taking one person less than 20 minutes to set up. This means users can respond quickly to emergency situations and easily relocate the unit if surveillance priorities change.
Most of them can be fitted to a vehicle and transported with ease.
The main features to keep in mind are:
We now move into features that go beyond the physical makeup and basic components of the Solar Surveillance Trailer, and onto the advanced capabilities that separate the high-quality units from the more basic models.
The variety of use cases for Solar Surveillance Trailers is growing all the time, but they are still most typically deployed for security purposes, at a construction jobsite or parking lot, for example.
Intruder detection capabilities are critical security features that help protect sites from trespassing, theft, and vandalism. An effective Mobile Solar Surveillance Trailer should have this capability built in.
Detection can either be triggered by motion sensors or, more effectively, by advanced AI-driven video analytics.
Features to look out for are:
Whatever deployment scenario you require a Mobile Solar Surveillance Trailer for, it will almost certainly be an outdoor application.
That means your Trailer will be subject to variable weather conditions, from snow, wind, and rain right through to blazing hot sun.
To ensure your Trailer can perform no matter what weather conditions it faces, you need to ensure it has been built to the highest standards and is proven to withstand the USA's weather extremes. Ideally, to avoid any nasty surprises, you may want to use a Trailer that has been made in America.
Key features to look out for:
As we mentioned above, no matter what your security or surveillance needs are, you will more than likely want to be able to access your cameras on demand.
Whether you want to check in on the progress of your jobsite, keep watch over major public events, or coordinate a tactical response, being able to connect tour cameras at any time of day or night from any location should be a minimum feature of a Surveillance Trailer.
Some Solar Trailers offer remote access via a mobile app or desktop software, while others send the camera feeds directly to a video monitoring station, where security professionals monitor your site 24/7.
There should be no reason, though, why you can't have both - surveillance camera access in the plan of your hands and a team of professionals keeping watch when you can't.
Features to consider regarding remote video monitoring and remote access:
With so many advanced features and benefits, you're probably wondering if a high-tech surveillance system like a Mobile Solar Surveillance Trailer comes at a high cost too.
While the purchase price of a Solar Surveillance Trailer can seem expensive, the cost benefits these solutions deliver make them one of the most budget-efficient solutions.
One way to demonstrate the value of a Surveillance Trailer is to compare the cost of hiring a trailer to the cost of other security alternatives, such as security guards.
The cost of renting a Surveillance Trailer per month will typically range from $1,200-$2,500, versus the cost of hiring a single security guard at $4,000-$6,000 per month.
This analysis only allows for the hire of one security guard, too. Consider that a Trailer can see and detect criminal activity over a greater distance than two or more guards, and you can understand exactly why these solutions are so popular.
It's not just guards that Solar Trailers compare favorably with, though. With zero installation costs and no construction work required, using a Surveillance Trailer is significantly more cost-effective than installing fixed cameras.
Key features to look out for:
At WCCTV, we live by the motto that it's better to prevent crime than record it. When it comes to protecting your site, we operate a four-step process: Detect, Deter, Document, and Dispatch.
A huge part of our success in defending sites and deterring criminals is the imposing physical presence of our Mobile Solar Surveillance Trailers.
Standing at 20 ft high and loaded up with additional features like audio-voice down units, horn speakers, flashing blue lights, LEDs, and alarms, criminals are left in no doubt they have been detected, and the wheels of justice are in motion.
Key features to look out for:
Alongside the major features we have outlined above, there are other significant decision-making factors we would encourage you to look out for, including:
Solar Surveillance Trailers continue to emerge as the most reliable, convenient, and cost-effective security solutions, but it's crucial to remember that not all are created equally, and researching the solution that offers the best balance of functionality and budget-efficiency is absolutely vital.
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By reviewing the features we have outlined above, alongside the additional considerations we have outlined, you should be able to make a fully informed decision when weighing up your options.
If you would like any further information, or want to discuss a quote for renting or purchasing a WCCTV surveillance trailer, get in touch today.
Learn everything you need to know about solar-powered surveillance cameras in our comprehensive guide, including how they work and the benefits they provide.
Summer is on its way, bringing with it an abundance of sunlight and, unfortunately, a predicted rise in crime rates.
If you manage a construction job site, industrial property, or parking lot, or if you're planning a public event, now is the time to start thinking about security and researching the available options.
Solar surveillance cameras, including mobile solar surveillance trailers, are fast becoming the security solution of choice for a range of industries.
However, with a plethora of options available, how do you know which solution will provide the most reliable and budget-efficient performance?
The ultimate guide to solar surveillance cameras provides everything you need to know, from the benefits these systems deliver to how and where they should be deployed.
Want to make an informative decision about whether to use solar surveillance cameras? Then read on.
Solar-powered surveillance systems are surveillance cameras that utilize solar energy as their primary power source, making them ideal security solutions for locations without established power facilities.
The use of solar-powered cameras is increasingly driven by their convenience, cost-effectiveness, and their multiple environmental benefits.
The autonomous operation of a solar-powered security camera allows them to be quickly installed to provide temporary surveillance coverage in off-grid locations.
Key components of solar security cameras include:
They operate by using solar panels to harness sunlight and convert it into electricity, which is stored in batteries that can power the cameras on days when sunlight is not available.
The size and effectiveness of solar panels and batteries will vary by model, so it is worth doing further research on which solar camera is best for your location.
The growing popularity of solar-power surveillance cameras has been driven by the wide range of benefits they provide compared to traditional security camera systems.
We have previously explored in detail the benefits of mobile solar surveillance trailers, but to summarize our findings, they include the following:
Environmental benefits:
With many industries now recognizing the need to minimize how their business operations impact our physical environment, solar power security cameras are increasingly in demand for their many environmental benefits, such as:
Lower Operating Costs:
At the same time as contributing to a cleaner environment, solar-powered surveillance cameras also have a positive effect on the bottom line by lowering the overall operating costs of a security setup. This is facilitated by:
Reliability:
When it comes to researching the best security solution, cost-effectiveness, and environmental benefits are worth absolutely nothing if the system isn't reliable. The vast majority of people would gladly pay more for a security setup so long as they knew it provided optimal performance at all times.
The dual benefit of solar-powered security cameras is that you don't have to pay a premium to get reliable surveillance coverage.
Rapid Deployment and Relocatable:
Think of the major drawbacks of typical surveillance camera installations. They take a long time to install, may involve work permits, require specialist equipment and personnel, and can cost thousands of dollars.
After all that time and effort spent hooking up your surveillance cameras, what happens next? The criminal activity moves somewhere else, and now you're stuck with cameras that are completely worthless.
Solar cameras are designed to prevent this scenario and provide a dynamic, portable, and relocatable surveillance solution that is equally adapted to temporary security requirements as it is to longer-term crime deterrent applications.
Solar surveillance cameras offer multiple benefits to a wide range of industries, but they may not be suitable for every environment, and there are some potential limitations that you should consider prior to deployment
The majority of these limitations can be overcome either by utilizing the right technology or optimizing your deployment profile. Below, we outline some potential drawbacks of solar surveillance cameras and how these can be mitigated.
Space Requirements for Optimal Sunlight Exposure:
Sunlight Variability:
Upfront Costs:
Regular Upkeep:
Harsh Weather and Environmental Factors:
Not all solar surveillance cameras are created equally, and as with any technology solution, there are high-spec, ultra-reliable solutions and cheaper, riskier options.
Understanding the requirements of your deployment scenario is the most important factor in deciding which key features your surveillance setup should deliver, but when it comes to solar-powered surveillance cameras, there are a number of non-negotiable features you should look out for.
Below, we have summarized the top seven features of solar-powered security cameras.
Why is it Important?: As we have highlighted above, not every day will be wall-to-wall sunshine, and as solar-powered cameras require direct sunlight for operation, the need for a robust backup solution is absolutely critical/
Key Feature to Look Out For: A solid, reliable, and high-capacity battery backup system that has been proven to work over long-term deployments. The last thing you need to be doing is hooking up additional generators or charging from mains power when your security cameras are supposed to be fully autonomous.
Why is it Important?: Outdated and lower-resolution cameras will be unable to identify security threats at your location accurately, and the recorded footage they provide will be of too poor quality to effectively identify suspects and support investigations.
Key Feature to Look Out For: Only utilize solar surveillance cameras that offer HD video resolutions; look for 720p, p, or 4K options. These camera systems will provide more accurate detection rates and ensure that all video footage recorded is usable in criminal investigations.
Why is it Important?: Different models of solar surveillance cameras will have different recharge rates and battery durations. The faster your batteries can recharge and the longer they last, the more effective your surveillance system will be.
Key Feature to Look Out For: Seek out solar-powered camera units that have been specifically designed for optimal recharge rates and ones that contain high-capacity, long-lasting batteries. This will help mitigate against downtime and minimize your maintenance requirements.
Why is it Important? A PTZ (or pan, tilt, and zoom) camera with a wide-angle lens will provide the most comprehensive coverage of your sites, ensuring no areas are out of the camera's reach.
Key Feature to Look Out For: Full 360-degree PTZ functionality that can be self-controlled and preset to provide a rolling 'tour' of your locations.
Why is it Important?: Crimes such as construction site theft, auto theft, and commercial property theft are significantly more likely to occur at night. An effective surveillance camera setup must be able to detect activity and deliver clear imagery, no matter the lighting conditions.
Key Feature to Look Out For: Cameras with infrared (IR) capability deliver crystal-clear footage day or night. They can pick up key distinguishing features in areas with zero ambient lighting.
Why is it Important? One of the key benefits of any surveillance camera is being able to access the live and stored video footage that they provide. This allows continuous operation over time and the ability to react and respond to any events.
Key Feature to Look Out For: Always look for a camera setup that allows you to access video directly from a desktop software platform and/or mobile app. You should simultaneously be able to send video fees to a remote monitoring center that can provide 24/7/365 security services on your behalf. Don't settle for one or the other; demand both from your setup if needed.
Why is it important?: Solar surveillance cameras will be deployed in outdoor environments year-round, exposing them to changing weather elements and potential extremes of heat, cold, rain, wind, snow, and ice. Units that have not been environmentally tested will suffer in these conditions and run the risk of complete failure.
Key Feature to Look Out For: Look for cameras that have been weatherproofed against dust and water, solar panels that are made from galvanized materials, and companies that are sealed and protected.
If you're ready to take the next step and integrate solar surveillance cameras into your security posture, then WCCTV's surveillance experts are ready to help you choose the best solution for you.
To get more information on our mobile solar surveillance trailers or pole-mounted cameras, just complete the short contact form below.