Darkness invites trouble. When NEPA goes off at night, compounds in Port Harcourt, Warri and Yenagoa can go completely dark. Solar keeps cameras and lights on.
How much power
| Item | Watts |
|---|---|
| CCTV camera | 4–8W each |
| DVR / NVR recorder | 10–25W |
| LED security light | 10–30W each |
| Gate motor (standby) | Small, but higher when moving |
Example: 4 cameras (24W) + recorder (20W) + 4 LED lights (60W) = about 104W.
12 hours = about 1.25kWh every night.
Two ways to do it
- On your home solar system. Simple. Just make sure the battery covers it with your other night loads.
- A small separate system. Keeps security on even if the home system trips.
Tips
- Use LED lights with motion sensors to save power.
- Put the recorder on solar too, or cameras record nothing.
- Protect your panels too. Read solar panel theft prevention.
