Securing critical infrastructure becomes more difficult when the location that needs surveillance is also the location that is hardest to reach with electrical and network infrastructure.

Evidence Security LLC encountered exactly that problem at a water treatment facility where a remote turnpike underpass gate had become a security concern. Unauthorized access, damaged locks, and gates being left open created a need for continuous visibility—but the site was located too far from convenient electrical service for a conventional camera installation to make economic sense.

The Challenge: Monitor a Vulnerable Access Point Without Grid Power

The underpass gate was positioned in a remote corner of the facility. Providing conventional electrical service would have required additional wiring, trenching, and electrician labor simply to reach the monitoring location.

That created two separate infrastructure challenges:

• Provide dependable power for continuous video surveillance.
• Transmit camera data approximately 2 kilometers back to the central monitoring station.

Solving only one of those problems would not be enough. Cameras without communications would provide limited remote visibility, while a wireless connection without dependable local power would still leave the surveillance point vulnerable to outages.

The Solution: A 280W RemotePro® Off-Grid Solar System

Evidence Security LLC deployed a Tycon Systems® 280W RemotePro® solar power system directly at the remote gate.

The RemotePro® system provided local solar generation and battery storage, eliminating the need to extend utility power to the surveillance location.

Two security cameras were mounted at the site and powered from the off-grid system, allowing the underpass gate and surrounding area to be monitored continuously without relying on a nearby AC electrical connection.

Off-Grid Power at the Camera Location

RemotePro® systems combine solar generation, battery storage, charge control, outdoor protection, and field-ready power for cameras and other equipment installed beyond practical utility service.

Why Solar Was a Practical Fit for This Site

The alternative was not simply “solar versus an electrical outlet.” An electrical outlet did not exist where the cameras were needed.

Providing utility power would have required additional infrastructure to move electricity from an existing source to the gate. For a relatively modest surveillance load, generating and storing the energy directly at the equipment provided a more practical architecture.

This type of approach can be particularly useful when:

• The equipment load is relatively low and predictable.
• Utility power is far from the installation point.
• Trenching or long electrical runs would be disruptive.
• The site needs unattended operation.
• Cameras or communications equipment need 24-hour power.
• The location has adequate solar exposure for the required system size.

Battery Storage Keeps the Cameras Running After Sunset

Solar panels generate energy only when sufficient sunlight is available, but security cameras may need to operate continuously.

Battery storage bridges that gap by storing energy produced during the day and supplying it to the cameras and communications equipment when solar production falls below the system load.

This is why off-grid surveillance systems need to be sized from daily energy consumption, expected sunlight, battery autonomy, equipment voltage, temperature, and the importance of uninterrupted operation—not from solar-panel wattage alone.

The Communications Challenge: Approximately 2 Kilometers

Powering the cameras solved only half of the problem. Operators still needed access to the video from the facility's central monitoring station approximately 2 kilometers away.

The deployment used a Ubiquiti NanoStation M5 wireless device to establish a point-to-point communications link between the remote surveillance location and the central network.

That allowed camera video and data to cross the distance wirelessly rather than requiring new communications cabling between the gate and the central station.

Off-Grid Power and Wireless Communications Work Together

Point-to-point wireless can connect remote cameras back to a central network while the solar and battery system provides local power at the monitoring location.

A Wireless Link Still Needs to Be Engineered

The approximately 2-kilometer link in this project was specific to this installation. Wireless range should never be assumed from distance alone.

A new point-to-point link should consider:

• Clear line-of-sight between both locations
• Fresnel-zone clearance
• Radio frequency
• Antenna gain and alignment
• Local RF interference
• Available mounting height
• Required network throughput
• Weather and environmental conditions

The wireless radio also becomes part of the solar-system load and must be included when calculating battery and solar requirements.

The Result: Continuous Visibility at a Previously Vulnerable Gate

With the RemotePro® system and wireless link installed, the facility gained continuous surveillance of an access point that had previously been difficult to monitor.

The cameras could operate without local utility power while the point-to-point wireless connection returned video to the central monitoring station.

By avoiding the need for new electrical service at the gate, the project reduced installation complexity and eliminated the long power run that would otherwise have been required.

More importantly, operators gained better visibility into activity around a known security vulnerability and were better positioned to identify and respond to unauthorized access.

What This Case Study Demonstrates

The value of this deployment is not simply that solar panels powered two cameras.

It demonstrates how three different infrastructure functions can be combined:

When those layers are designed together, equipment can be placed where the application actually requires it rather than only where power and network infrastructure happen to exist.

Other Critical Infrastructure Applications

The same general architecture can be useful at other distributed infrastructure locations where security or monitoring is needed beyond convenient utility service.

Water and Wastewater Facilities

Remote gates, tanks, pump stations, reservoirs, equipment areas, and perimeter locations may require cameras, telemetry, or communications equipment away from the main facility.

Utility Infrastructure

Substations, remote equipment sites, pipelines, and distributed utility assets may need surveillance or monitoring where conventional electrical service is unavailable.

Transportation Infrastructure

Underpasses, gates, remote intersections, construction projects, and roadside equipment can require cameras and wireless communications far from existing buildings.

Industrial Facilities

Equipment yards, remote entrances, storage locations, tanks, pipelines, and perimeter sites may benefit from independent surveillance and communications.

Remote Properties and Access Points

Gates, driveways, agricultural properties, storage areas, and other isolated access points can be monitored without extending electrical service to every location.

RemotePro® for Fixed Off-Grid Security Sites

The system documented in this project used a 280W RemotePro® configuration. Because the exact historical model number is not identified here, a new project should not assume that the same configuration is automatically appropriate.

Current RemotePro® systems range from compact pole-mounted configurations through substantially larger systems and can support cameras, wireless bridges, access points, sensors, telemetry, and other field electronics.

Explore RemotePro® off-grid solar power systems →

Remote Infrastructure Security FAQs

What equipment did the RemotePro® system power?

The documented deployment used a 280W RemotePro® solar power system to support two security cameras and the remote communications equipment needed at the surveillance site.

How far was the surveillance site from the monitoring station?

The central monitoring station was approximately 2 kilometers from the remote gate. A Ubiquiti NanoStation M5 was used as part of the point-to-point wireless connection.

Can security cameras run completely from solar power?

Yes, when the solar array, battery capacity, charge control, and supporting power equipment are properly sized for the complete camera and communications load.

Can solar cameras operate at night?

Yes. Battery storage supplies the equipment when solar generation is unavailable or insufficient. Required battery capacity depends on the load and desired autonomy.

Can a wireless bridge operate from an off-grid solar system?

Yes. The radio's voltage and energy consumption simply need to be included in the system design along with the cameras and other network equipment.

Will every wireless bridge work over 2 kilometers?

No. The approximately 2-kilometer distance was specific to this deployment. Wireless performance depends on radio selection, antenna configuration, line-of-sight, Fresnel clearance, interference, frequency, mounting height, and terrain.

How do I size solar power for a remote security site?

Begin with every powered device, its voltage and wattage, operating hours, installation location, solar conditions, required battery autonomy, communications hardware, and environmental requirements.

Large container terminals depend on communications infrastructure for daily operations, logistics, security, and coordination across widely distributed areas. Wireless access points and customer premises equipment can extend network coverage throughout a facility, but those devices are only useful while both network connectivity and electrical power remain available.

At the ADPC container port terminal, Tycon Systems® UPSPro® outdoor battery-backup systems were deployed to help keep critical WiFi equipment operating during interruptions to primary power. The project illustrates how outdoor UPS infrastructure can strengthen network resilience at industrial sites where even a relatively short outage can interrupt communications.

The Challenge: Keeping a Large Port Network Connected

A container terminal covers a large physical area. Wireless infrastructure may need to support operations around loading zones, storage areas, equipment routes, buildings, gates, and other locations throughout the facility.

At the ADPC terminal, WiFi coverage depended on access points and CPE devices distributed across the port. If primary power to those devices failed, portions of the wireless network could also become unavailable.

The requirement was therefore straightforward but important: provide local battery backup at critical network locations so short-term power interruptions would not immediately become network interruptions.

Outdoor Equipment Required Outdoor Backup Power

The port equipment was installed in an industrial environment rather than a climate-controlled network room. Backup power therefore needed to be located close to the field equipment while remaining protected from normal outdoor exposure.

UPSPro® systems combine battery storage, charging and protected outdoor enclosure hardware so backup power can be installed where the communications equipment actually operates.

UPSPro® Installed at the Port

The actual field installation placed battery-backed power beside the network equipment instead of relying only on centralized power protection elsewhere in the facility.

The Solution: Eight UPSPro® Systems Across the Terminal

The project deployed a total of eight Tycon Systems® UPSPro® systems at strategic locations throughout the port network.

These systems supported the access points and CPE devices responsible for extending WiFi connectivity across the facility.

According to the original project documentation, each UPS installation provided a minimum of three hours of battery-backup runtime. That reserve allowed the supported communications equipment to continue operating through temporary loss of its normal power source.

Backup Runtime Has to Be Matched to the Network Load

Three hours was the requirement documented for this particular port deployment. It should not be treated as a universal recommendation for wireless networks.

Backup runtime for another installation depends on:

• Access-point power consumption
• CPE or wireless-radio load
• PoE injector or switch losses
• Routers and supporting network hardware
• Battery capacity and chemistry
• Temperature
• Battery age and condition
• Required time for normal power to return

Battery Backup Beside the Network Equipment

The enclosure provides protected space for batteries, power electronics, cabling, and supporting field equipment at the same location as the wireless infrastructure.

Why Distributed UPS Can Make Sense for Wireless Networks

A large wireless network may consist of many geographically separated devices rather than one central communications cabinet.

Protecting only the core network equipment does not necessarily protect an access point or CPE device installed hundreds of feet away if its local power source is interrupted.

Distributed outdoor UPS systems allow backup capacity to be placed at selected network nodes, helping the edge devices remain powered independently of short interruptions at their individual locations.

Battery Storage Was Integrated Into the Field Enclosure

The deployment photographs show battery storage installed directly inside the outdoor UPS enclosures with the supporting power electronics.

Integrating those components into one enclosure helps keep the battery, charger, connections and supporting equipment together at the network location rather than distributing exposed power components around the installation.

The Backup Energy Behind the Network

Battery capacity is what determines how long the network equipment can remain powered after the normal source disappears, so runtime needs to be calculated around the complete connected load.

WiFi Access Points and CPE Devices Have Different Power Requirements

Outdoor wireless networks can include access points, point-to-point radios, CPE devices, routers, switches and other equipment with different operating voltages and power requirements.

Some equipment operates directly from DC power while many wireless devices receive power over Ethernet. The UPS architecture therefore needs to match both the energy requirement and the electrical interface of the connected equipment.

Current UPSPro® outdoor UPS and battery backup systems include configurations for wireless networks, cameras, sensors and communications equipment, with DC and PoE options available depending on the model.

Power over Ethernet Is Often Part of the Network Design

Power over Ethernet is commonly used with outdoor access points and CPE equipment because compatible devices can receive power and Ethernet data through the same network cable.

The PoE source still needs dependable upstream power, however. If the injector or switch loses power, the connected network device also loses power.

Tycon Power® industrial PoE switches and PoE injectors provide options for powering access points, wireless radios, cameras and other Ethernet equipment from AC or DC sources.

Industrial Sites Add Environmental Requirements

Ports, transportation facilities, industrial yards and logistics terminals can expose field equipment to conditions very different from an indoor network closet.

Outdoor network-power design may need to consider:

• Heat and cold
• Rain and moisture
• Dust and contamination
• Corrosion exposure
• Vibration
• Cable routing and strain relief
• Surge and grounding requirements
• Physical access for maintenance

Backup runtime is only one part of the design. The enclosure and installation also need to protect the equipment throughout its expected service environment.

The Result: Network Equipment Stayed Available Through Power Interruptions

With eight UPSPro® systems distributed across the port network, the supported WiFi access points and CPE devices had local battery reserve available when their normal power source was interrupted.

The original case study reports a minimum of three hours of backup runtime, helping the terminal maintain communications during temporary outages.

The broader lesson is applicable to many industrial networks: the communications system should be evaluated together with the electrical infrastructure supporting each critical network node.

Where the Same Approach Can Be Useful

Distributed outdoor network backup is not limited to container ports. Similar requirements appear wherever communications equipment is spread across a large site.

Warehouses and Logistics Facilities

Access points, scanners, yard communications and network equipment may support operations across multiple buildings and outdoor areas where localized backup can help maintain connectivity.

Transportation Infrastructure

Rail facilities, roads, transit operations and transportation yards may use wireless communications, cameras and network devices at geographically separated locations.

Industrial Plants and Equipment Yards

Outdoor access points, cameras, telemetry and control-network equipment can require backup power beyond the protected electrical systems inside the main facility.

Utilities and Remote Infrastructure

Communications equipment supporting water, electric, telecom and other distributed assets may need to remain available during local utility-power interruptions.

Campus and Municipal Networks

Large campuses and municipal networks can contain outdoor wireless nodes, cameras and communications equipment located far from centralized UPS infrastructure.

UPSPro® for Current Outdoor Network Projects

The original case study documents the port deployment but does not identify a specific current UPSPro® model that should be used for future projects.

Current UPSPro® systems are available with different system voltages, battery capacities, battery chemistries, output configurations and PoE options. The appropriate model should be selected around the equipment rather than simply copying the historical installation.

Compare UPSPro® outdoor UPS and battery backup systems →

Port and Wireless Network Backup FAQs

How many UPS systems were installed at the port?

The documented ADPC container port project used eight Tycon Systems® UPSPro® systems distributed across the terminal.

What equipment did the UPS systems support?

The case study identifies WiFi access points and customer premises equipment, or CPE devices, as the critical network equipment supported by the backup systems.

How much backup runtime did the systems provide?

The original case study reports a minimum of three hours of backup runtime for each deployed UPS system.

Can an outdoor UPS power WiFi access points?

Yes, when the UPS output voltage, PoE configuration where applicable, battery capacity and power rating are correctly matched to the access point and any supporting network equipment.

How much battery backup does a wireless access point need?

Required capacity depends on the complete wattage of the access point and supporting devices, desired runtime, battery chemistry, temperature, conversion losses and expected battery aging. The three-hour requirement in this case study should not automatically be applied to another network.

Does UPSPro® require solar power?

No. UPSPro® is primarily an outdoor battery-backup family for sites that already have a normal power source. Some configurations are solar-ready or support alternate charging, but solar is not required for the basic backup-power function.

Can Tycon Systems® help size backup power for an industrial network?

Yes. Useful starting information includes every device being powered, operating voltage, PoE requirements, total wattage, normal power source, desired backup runtime, installation environment and expected operating temperature.

Construction-site workforce management depends on more than software. Badge readers, communications equipment, controllers, network hardware, and the systems that record worker activity all need dependable power at sites that are constantly changing.

In Belgium, one construction-site deployment used a Tycon Systems® outdoor UPS as part of a workforce registration and compliance system designed to track personnel entering and leaving the site. The application demonstrates how backup power and network infrastructure can support operational systems where interruptions can affect reporting, security, safety, and regulatory compliance.

The Challenge: Workforce Tracking Across Active Construction Sites

Large construction projects can involve employees, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and temporary personnel entering and leaving throughout the day.

The documented Belgian application required workers and contractors to be registered and their site activity tracked. The original case study notes that failures in workforce registration could expose construction companies to significant penalties.

That meant the access-control equipment needed to capture worker activity accurately while maintaining communications with the systems responsible for processing the information.

The field equipment included:

• Worker badge reader
• Local controller
• 3G communications router
• Secured reset mechanism
• Network and PoE infrastructure
• Battery-backed power equipment

Outdoor Installation Adds Another Layer of Difficulty

Construction sites are not controlled office environments. Power and communications equipment may be installed on temporary structures, containers, site offices, gates, or other locations exposed to changing weather and ongoing construction activity.

The equipment therefore needs more than electrical compatibility. The enclosure, cabling, mounting, battery storage, and connections also need to be appropriate for the environment.

Installed at the Construction Site

The actual field installation placed the workforce-access electronics inside an outdoor enclosure mounted directly at the construction site, allowing the system to operate where personnel entered and exited the project.

The Solution: Battery-Backed Power for the Access-Control System

The deployment integrated a Tycon® UPS-PL1212-18 into each workforce-management unit.

The site used 220V power together with PoE and network infrastructure, while the UPS system provided battery-backed power for the field electronics.

The UPS-PL1212-18 is a historical UPSPro® configuration documented in this case study. New projects should be matched to the current UPSPro® range based on required voltage, load, charging method, battery capacity and required backup runtime rather than assuming the original model remains the correct choice.

What Was Inside the Enclosure?

The field enclosure combined the power and communications components needed to keep the access-control station operating as an integrated system.

Battery storage supported the electronics during interruptions, while the controller and communications hardware managed the local badge-reading and data-transport functions.

The Actual Power and Control Installation

Inside the enclosure, battery storage and power electronics were integrated with the controller and communications equipment supporting the workforce-registration system.

Badge Readers Connected the Physical Site to the Digital System

Workers used the badge reader when arriving at and leaving the construction site.

Those transactions created the physical connection between personnel activity at the jobsite and the customer's workforce-management platform.

Once the information was captured, the communications system transmitted it to the customer's online platform for processing and reporting.

Cellular Connectivity Allowed the System to Operate Across Changing Sites

Construction projects may not have permanent wired network infrastructure available at every access point.

The documented system used a 3G router to provide communications between the field installation and the centralized software platform.

Modern deployments may use newer cellular technologies, but the design principle remains the same: communications equipment is part of the total field-power load and must be included when the backup system is sized.

The Customer's Software Managed the Compliance Workflow

The custom online platform received workforce information from the field equipment and used that data for the operational and compliance functions of the deployment.

According to the original case study, the software supported functions including:

• Monitoring personnel entering and leaving the site
• Checking workforce-registration information
• Providing information to HR and site-management teams
• Supporting supplier invoice-control processes
• Triggering workflows when new workers or companies arrived
• Updating evacuation information based on personnel present

Those capabilities belonged to the customer's software and control architecture. Tycon Systems® supplied the supporting power infrastructure used in the field deployment.

Why Backup Power Matters for Access Control

Access-control and workforce systems can lose more than convenience when their power source is interrupted.

Depending on the application, loss of power can affect:

• Worker entry and exit records
• Communications with centralized systems
• Current personnel-count information
• Safety and evacuation records
• Timekeeping or workforce reporting
• Operational visibility for site managers

Backup power provides time for the equipment to continue operating through interruptions rather than immediately losing the field data source.

PoE Can Simplify Construction-Site Network Power

Power over Ethernet can be useful in temporary and industrial installations because compatible network devices can receive electrical power and Ethernet data through the same cabling.

The appropriate PoE equipment depends on the connected device's voltage, power requirement, IEEE or passive PoE method, network speed and the available upstream power source.

Tycon Power® PoE injectors and power inserters provide AC, DC, passive and IEEE PoE options for cameras, wireless equipment, routers and other network devices.

The Result: A More Resilient Workforce-Management System

The completed deployment combined badge reading, local control, cellular communications, centralized data management and battery-backed power into one site system.

This allowed personnel information to be captured at the construction site and transmitted to the systems responsible for workforce management and compliance.

The case demonstrates a broader principle that applies well beyond workforce registration: field software and connected devices are only as useful as the infrastructure keeping their local electronics powered and communicating.

How This Applies to Other Industrial and Construction Systems

The same architecture can be relevant anywhere important field electronics need to remain available through power interruptions.

Examples can include:

• Gate and access-control systems
• Badge and credential readers
• Construction-site communications
• Industrial routers and gateways
• Security cameras
• Environmental and safety monitoring
• Remote sensors and telemetry
• Temporary network infrastructure

UPSPro® for Current Backup-Power Projects

The UPS-PL1212-18 documented in this deployment is an older UPSPro® configuration. For a new project, the backup system should be selected from the current product range around the actual equipment requirements.

Important sizing inputs include:

• Normal input power source
• Equipment operating voltage
• Continuous and peak load
• PoE requirements
• Required backup runtime
• Battery chemistry
• Outdoor and environmental requirements

Explore UPSPro® outdoor UPS and battery backup systems →

Construction Site Backup Power FAQs

What Tycon® product was used in this project?

The documented Belgian construction-site deployment used the UPS-PL1212-18, an earlier UPSPro® outdoor battery-backup configuration.

Did Tycon Systems® provide the workforce-compliance software?

No. The compliance, reporting and workforce-management functions were handled by a custom platform associated with the deployment. The Tycon® product provided supporting power infrastructure for the field electronics.

What equipment was powered at the site?

The documented installation included a badge reader, controller, 3G router and related control hardware within the construction-site system.

Why use battery backup for an access-control system?

Battery backup can allow access, communications and control electronics to continue operating during interruptions in their normal power source. Required runtime depends on the complete equipment load and application requirements.

Can PoE be used with battery backup?

Yes. Tycon® systems include options for DC and PoE equipment, allowing network devices to be integrated with battery-backed power when the voltage, PoE standard and load requirements are properly matched.

How should a new construction-site UPS be sized?

Start with every connected device, its voltage and power consumption, the normal power source, required backup time, PoE requirements and environmental conditions. The complete field-system load should determine the battery and UPS configuration.

Mobile surveillance systems need to do more than move from one location to another. Cameras, communications equipment, networking hardware, and the supporting power system all need to operate together at sites where utility power may not be available.

San Diego CCTV Pros faced exactly that challenge with mobile surveillance trailers designed for traffic monitoring, construction oversight, public safety, and other temporary deployments. The trailers needed to support IP cameras and cellular connectivity while remaining completely independent of grid power.

The Challenge: Surveillance Wherever It Is Needed

Temporary surveillance often has to be deployed before electrical infrastructure is available. A construction project may change from month to month. Traffic-monitoring equipment may need to move between locations. Public-safety applications may require cameras to be positioned wherever additional coverage is needed.

San Diego CCTV Pros needed its surveillance trailers to operate independently in those environments. Each deployment had to support multiple pieces of equipment while remaining portable and self-contained.

The documented system needed to support:

• Two IP surveillance cameras
• Cellular modem connectivity
• 24-hour operation
• Off-grid solar generation
• Battery energy storage
• A trailer-based platform that could move between sites

A Self-Contained Mobile Surveillance Platform

One of the San Diego CCTV Pros trailers combines elevated IP cameras with roof-mounted solar generation so the surveillance equipment can operate away from conventional electrical service.

The Solution: RemotePro® Off-Grid Solar Power

San Diego CCTV Pros equipped the trailers with Tycon Systems® RemotePro® RPST24-100-280 solar power systems.

The RemotePro® systems supplied the solar generation, battery storage, charging, and power infrastructure needed for the surveillance equipment to operate without an external utility connection.

In the documented configuration, the system powered two IP cameras and a cellular modem, allowing video and communications equipment to remain active while the trailer was deployed.

Why Solar Works Well for Mobile Surveillance

Mobile surveillance creates an unusual infrastructure problem: the equipment needs dependable power, but installing permanent electrical service can undermine the very reason for using a movable platform.

Solar generation allows the energy source to move with the surveillance equipment. Battery storage then supports the load overnight and during periods when solar production is insufficient.

This architecture can be useful for projects where the monitoring location changes over time or where extending utility service to a temporary site would be impractical.

Power That Moves With the Surveillance Equipment

Multiple solar-powered surveillance trailers allow monitoring equipment to be positioned where it is needed without requiring a permanent grid connection at every deployment location.

Battery Storage Makes 24-Hour Operation Possible

Solar panels generate energy during daylight, but surveillance equipment may need to operate around the clock. Battery storage is therefore a critical part of the system rather than an optional accessory.

Battery capacity needs to account for the complete daily equipment load, nighttime operation, periods of reduced sunlight, battery chemistry, temperature, system losses, and the amount of autonomy required by the application.

For any new deployment, those requirements should be recalculated rather than assuming the battery and solar configuration used in this case study will automatically fit a different camera system.

Cellular Connectivity Completes the Remote System

Generating electrical power solves only one part of a remote surveillance deployment. The cameras also need a way to communicate with operators away from the site.

The San Diego CCTV Pros configuration included a cellular modem along with the IP cameras. That allowed the mobile platform to combine local off-grid power with remote communications instead of depending on wired network infrastructure at the deployment location.

Cellular routers, modems, wireless radios, switches, and PoE equipment should all be included when calculating the total energy requirement for a remote surveillance system.

Designed Around the Deployment — Not Just the Trailer

The trailer provides mobility, but the power system still needs to be designed around what is mounted on it.

Important design inputs include:

• Number and type of cameras
• Camera power consumption
• IR illuminators, heaters, or other accessories
• Cellular or wireless equipment
• PoE voltage and power requirements
• Operating location and available sunlight
• Required battery autonomy
• Seasonal and environmental conditions

The Result: Deployable Off-Grid Surveillance

With the RemotePro® systems installed, San Diego CCTV Pros deployed self-contained surveillance trailers capable of supporting continuous monitoring without requiring external grid connections.

The trailers have been used for transportation and infrastructure monitoring applications, including deployments associated with Departments of Transportation.

The project demonstrates how off-grid solar can solve a specific mobile-security problem: providing electrical power and communications support at locations where the surveillance requirement may be temporary but the equipment still needs to operate around the clock.

A Repeatable Mobile Surveillance Concept

The finished trailers combine mobility, surveillance, communications, solar generation, and stored energy into deployable monitoring platforms.

Where This Approach Can Be Useful

The same general architecture can be considered for other temporary or movable surveillance applications where permanent utility infrastructure is not practical.

Transportation and Traffic Monitoring

Cameras can be positioned at changing transportation projects, intersections, work zones, or infrastructure sites without waiting for permanent electrical service.

Construction Sites

Surveillance requirements can move as a construction project progresses. A self-contained power platform can move with the area that needs monitoring.

Public Safety

Temporary monitoring may be useful for events, changing public spaces, emergency operations, or other locations where cameras need to be deployed without permanent infrastructure.

Industrial and Utility Sites

Temporary equipment yards, remote infrastructure, utilities, and industrial projects may require surveillance before permanent communications and electrical systems are available.

Parking and Property Monitoring

Mobile systems can also provide additional coverage in parking areas, storage yards, commercial properties, or other sites where monitoring requirements change over time.

RemotePro® or a Complete MobileSolarPro® Platform?

This case study is an important example of the distinction between the two product approaches.

San Diego CCTV Pros already had its own trailer platform and integrated a RemotePro® solar power system into that equipment. For customers who already have the mechanical platform or enclosure, a RemotePro® solution can provide the off-grid solar and battery architecture.

Customers who need the mobile platform itself — including trailer or skid, solar generation, battery storage, mast, power electronics, and equipment integration — can instead begin with MobileSolarPro®.

Explore RemotePro® off-grid solar power systems or explore MobileSolarPro® trailers and skids .

Mobile Surveillance Power FAQs

What equipment did this surveillance trailer power?

The documented San Diego CCTV Pros configuration powered two IP cameras and a cellular modem using a Tycon Systems® RemotePro® RPST24-100-280 solar power system.

Can solar surveillance equipment operate at night?

Yes, when the system includes sufficient battery storage. Solar energy collected during daylight charges the battery bank, and stored energy supports the equipment when solar generation is unavailable.

Can additional cameras be added?

Additional equipment may be possible, but the complete load should be recalculated before changing the configuration. More cameras or communications equipment can require additional solar generation, battery capacity, or power-conversion hardware.

How does a mobile surveillance trailer connect to the internet?

This deployment used a cellular modem. Other projects may use cellular routers, wireless bridges, point-to-point links, or other communications methods depending on the site.

Does RemotePro® include the surveillance trailer?

No. In this case, RemotePro® supplied the off-grid power solution integrated with San Diego CCTV Pros' own trailer platform. Customers needing a complete Tycon® mobile trailer or skid should explore MobileSolarPro®.

How should a new mobile surveillance system be sized?

Begin with every powered device, its voltage and wattage, daily operating time, installation location, available sunlight, required battery autonomy, communications equipment, and environmental conditions.

Living or working far from utility infrastructure changes the way electrical power needs to be designed. A remote cabin may need only modest amounts of continuous power when it is unoccupied, but those loads can still include internet connectivity, security cameras, monitoring equipment, lighting, and other electronics that need to remain available day and night.

This Tycon Systems® deployment near Mt. Pleasant, Utah shows how a properly sized solar and battery system can reduce dependence on a diesel generator while supporting both continuous background loads and the additional electrical needs of an occupied recreational cabin.

The Challenge: Reliable Power Beyond the Grid

The 2,200-square-foot recreational cabin is located in a mountainous area where utility power is unavailable. Before the solar system was installed, electricity came from a diesel generator.

A generator can be useful when the cabin is occupied and electrical demand is relatively high. It is less convenient for small loads that need to operate continuously while no one is there.

Those background loads included:

• Security cameras
• Internet and wireless connectivity
• Monitoring equipment
• Other always-available cabin electronics

The objective was therefore not simply to replace a generator. It was to create a power architecture that could support the cabin's regular low-level demand automatically while still providing useful electrical capacity when people were using the property.

Start With the Continuous Electrical Load

The cabin's average continuous load was approximately 210W. That included equipment that needed to remain available even when the owners were away.

Continuous loads deserve particular attention in an off-grid system because they consume energy every hour. Security cameras, networking equipment, wireless bridges, routers, monitoring devices, and other always-on electronics can create a substantial energy requirement even when each individual device has relatively modest power consumption.

Correct sizing therefore begins with the complete load rather than simply selecting a solar-panel wattage or battery size.

The Solution: 1,440W of Solar With 720Ah of Battery Storage

The installed Tycon Systems® solution was configured with approximately 1,440W of solar generation and 720Ah of battery storage.

Solar energy charges the battery bank during the day, while the stored energy supports the cabin when solar production is reduced or unavailable. This allows the continuous loads to operate without requiring the diesel generator to run simply to support relatively small electrical demands.

The generator was retained as a backup source rather than removed from the overall power strategy.

Why the Solar Array Was Ground Mounted

Installing solar panels on the cabin roof was considered, but the roof was not the best location for this project. Structural considerations and the available roof angles would have made it more difficult to place the array for favorable solar exposure.

Instead, the solar array was ground mounted away from the cabin. This allowed the installation location and panel orientation to be selected around sunlight availability, with particular attention to winter conditions when solar energy is more limited.

A conduit connection between the solar installation and the cabin carries the required power and data infrastructure.

Ground-Mounted Solar for Larger Remote Loads

A current RemotePro® configuration at this scale combines 1,440W of ground-mounted solar with 720Ah of battery capacity. The exact model used in this cabin deployment was not identified in the original case study.

Ground Mounting Can Solve More Than One Problem

Roof mounting is convenient for many solar projects, but remote installations should not assume that the roof is automatically the best location.

A separate ground mount may provide advantages when:

• The roof orientation is poor for solar production
• Roof structure or condition makes installation undesirable
• A different part of the property has better sunlight
• Seasonal shading affects the building
• Panel access for service is important
• A larger array would be difficult to accommodate on the roof

Mounting decisions should consider solar exposure, wind, snow, terrain, cable distance, access, structural requirements, and applicable installation standards.

Winter Performance Matters in Mountain Locations

An off-grid system that performs well during long summer days may behave very differently during winter.

Cold-season design should account for:

• Fewer available solar hours
• Lower sun angle
• Seasonal shading
• Snow accumulation
• Battery temperature
• Cold-weather PV open-circuit voltage
• Periods of consecutive poor solar production

In the documented cabin deployment, the system continued maintaining the batteries through winter conditions while supporting the unattended security and monitoring loads.

Powering More Than Just Security Cameras

The system supports the continuous security and communications requirements, but the cabin also uses solar-generated energy for other electrical loads when occupied.

Documented loads include:

• Lighting
• Ceiling fans
• Wireless bridge equipment
• Security cameras
• Video projector

The mix illustrates why remote-cabin sizing should consider both the baseline electrical demand and the additional loads expected while the property is occupied.

Keeping the Generator as Backup Can Be a Sensible Design Choice

Solar does not have to eliminate every other energy source to be useful.

In this project, the existing diesel generator remained available as backup even after the solar and battery system was installed. According to the documented deployment, normal operation had not required the generator after the solar system was placed in service.

Retaining another charging or generation source can provide additional flexibility during unusual energy demand, extended low-sun periods, maintenance, or other operating conditions.

Connectivity Is Part of Modern Remote Living

Remote living no longer necessarily means operating without communications. The cabin uses a wireless bridge to maintain connectivity, and the security-camera system can remain active while the property is unattended.

Networking equipment should be included in the energy calculation just like lighting or other electrical loads. Radios, routers, switches, cameras, PoE equipment, and monitoring devices can operate continuously and therefore have a significant effect on daily energy consumption.

Tycon Wireless® and Tycon Power® products can provide wireless connectivity, PoE, DC conversion, and related network-power functions when those components are part of a remote-site design.

Remote Monitoring Can Be Especially Valuable for Seasonal Properties

A seasonal cabin may remain unattended for extended periods. The ability to check the power system or connected equipment remotely can therefore reduce uncertainty about conditions at the property.

Depending on the system configuration, useful measurements can include:

• Battery voltage
• Solar charging performance
• Load current
• Temperature
• Equipment status
• Historical operating information

Tycon® TPDIN® monitoring and control products provide options for adding remote visibility and control to compatible power installations.

What This Remote Cabin Project Demonstrates

The most useful lesson from this project is not that every remote cabin needs 1,440W of solar or 720Ah of battery storage. Those numbers were selected for this particular property, load profile, location, and operating requirements.

Another cabin may require substantially less or substantially more capacity.

A remote-cabin design should consider:

• Continuous background load
• Additional occupied load
• Installation location
• Seasonal Peak Sun Hours
• Battery autonomy
• Winter conditions
• Generator or other backup availability
• Importance of uninterrupted communications or security

RemotePro® for Larger Off-Grid Power Requirements

RemotePro® includes configurations ranging from compact pole-mounted systems for cameras and radios through larger ground-mounted systems capable of supporting more demanding off-grid loads.

A current example is the RPAL24/48M-720-1440, which combines 1,440W of solar capacity with 720Ah of battery capacity and is specifically listed for applications including remote cabins.

Explore RemotePro® off-grid solar power systems →

Remote Cabin Solar FAQs

Can solar completely replace a generator at a remote cabin?

It can in some applications, but that should not be assumed. The answer depends on the electrical load, available sunlight, battery capacity, seasonal conditions, acceptable operating limits, and how much backup capability the owner wants to retain.

How much solar does an off-grid cabin need?

Solar capacity should be calculated from the actual daily energy requirement, location, seasonal solar resource, system losses, battery capacity, and desired battery-recovery time. Cabin size alone does not determine the required solar array.

Should solar panels be mounted on the cabin roof or on the ground?

Either approach can work. The better location depends on structural conditions, orientation, shading, wind and snow requirements, service access, available land, cable distance, and the amount of solar capacity required.

Can an off-grid solar system support internet and security cameras?

Yes, when the complete communications and surveillance load is included in system sizing. Routers, wireless bridges, switches, cameras, and PoE equipment can operate continuously and should all be included in the energy calculation.

Why keep a generator after adding solar?

A generator can provide another energy source during unusual loads, extended periods of poor solar production, maintenance, or other conditions. Keeping it as backup does not prevent solar and battery power from handling normal operation.

Can Tycon Systems® help size a remote cabin power system?

Yes. The useful starting information includes the complete equipment list, wattage, operating schedule, installation location, desired battery autonomy, available backup sources, and environmental conditions.

Remote research becomes especially challenging when the equipment must operate for weeks without technicians nearby. In the Arctic, environmental conditions, difficult access, communications limitations, and the need to avoid disturbing wildlife make reliable field power an essential part of the research system.

Polar Bears International uses remote camera systems in northern Canada and Svalbard, Norway to study polar bear mothers and cubs during the denning season. The equipment may remain deployed and unattended for 8 to 12 weeks, requiring the power, networking, monitoring, and recording systems to work together in an extremely remote environment.

The Challenge: Research Equipment That Must Operate Unattended

Each spring, Polar Bears International deploys up to six camera systems near polar bear denning areas. Once the equipment is positioned, researchers need to leave the area relatively undisturbed while the systems collect video and supporting research data.

That creates a very different power problem from equipment installed at a building or conventional communications site.

The deployment needs to support:

• High-resolution camera equipment
• Multiple networked devices
• PoE power distribution
• Voltage conversion
• Remote monitoring when communications are available
• Autonomous operation when connectivity is unavailable
• Extended operation without routine maintenance visits

The Solution: Build the Power Architecture Around the Equipment

The Arctic camera system uses several Tycon Systems® products to distribute power, provide the required equipment voltage, and monitor system conditions.

The deployed configuration includes the TP-SW8-D PoE switch, TP-VRHP-1256 voltage converter, and TPDIN-Monitor-WEB3 remote monitoring and control device.

Rather than treating power, networking, and monitoring as separate systems, these components work together as part of the infrastructure supporting the cameras and sensors.

TP-SW8-D PoE Switch

The TP-SW8-D distributes Ethernet connectivity and PoE power to multiple network devices. Using PoE allows power and network data to reach compatible cameras and other equipment through Ethernet cabling, simplifying the wiring inside a compact remote system.

The switch supports eight ports and is designed for DC-powered PoE applications, making it useful where the site's power originates from batteries rather than conventional AC infrastructure.

View the TP-SW8-D PoE Switch →

TP-VRHP-1256 Voltage Converter

Battery systems and network equipment do not always operate at the same voltage. The TP-VRHP-1256 converts a 10–15VDC input into regulated 56VDC output for equipment that requires the higher voltage.

This type of DC-to-DC conversion makes it possible to maintain a practical battery architecture while supplying the voltage required by the PoE equipment. View the TP-VRHP-1256 →

TPDIN-Monitor-WEB3 Remote Monitoring

Remote monitoring becomes especially valuable when the equipment is hundreds or thousands of miles from the people responsible for it.

The TPDIN-Monitor-WEB3 can monitor voltage, current, temperature, and other operating information and provides relay-control capabilities. When network connectivity is available, this gives operators greater visibility into the condition of the remote equipment.

Explore the TPDIN-Monitor-WEB3 →

Remote Power in the Arctic

Solar generation and protected field equipment support remote research systems in an environment where power availability, accessibility, and maintenance are all significant design considerations.

Why PoE Is Useful in a Remote Camera System

Remote surveillance and research cameras often need both network connectivity and electrical power. Power over Ethernet allows those functions to share the same cable for compatible devices.

That can reduce the amount of separate field wiring and simplify power distribution when several network devices are located inside or near the same remote equipment package.

Tycon Power® offers PoE switches for cameras, wireless equipment, networking devices, and other remote Ethernet applications.

DC Voltage Conversion Simplifies Mixed-Voltage Systems

One common challenge in remote systems is that the battery bank and connected electronics may require different operating voltages.

Instead of designing the entire battery system around the highest-voltage device, DC-to-DC conversion can create the required regulated output locally.

Tycon Power® DC voltage converters support applications where cameras, radios, PoE equipment, controllers, and other electronics need a different voltage from the primary battery or DC source.

Remote Monitoring Matters More as Site Access Becomes Harder

At an ordinary installation, a technician may be able to visit the equipment when a problem appears. Arctic research sites are fundamentally different.

When connectivity is available, remote monitoring can provide information that helps researchers or technicians understand the state of the power system without disturbing the research location.

Depending on the system architecture, useful measurements can include:

• Battery voltage
• Current consumption
• Temperature
• Equipment or relay state
• Historical operating data
• System alarms or abnormal conditions

This does not eliminate the need for robust system design. It simply gives operators better information when physical access is difficult.

The Result: Weeks of Autonomous Field Operation

With the remote power and communications system deployed, the research cameras can remain in the field for weeks while researchers avoid disturbing the denning area.

The camera systems capture high-resolution video used to study polar bear behavior. The project also supports research involving tracking information and environmental sensors.

The deployment demonstrates an important remote-infrastructure principle: reliable field systems are built by matching the power architecture to the actual equipment, environment, service constraints, and communications requirements.

Lessons for Other Remote Monitoring Projects

Most remote projects will never face the exact conditions of an Arctic polar bear research station, but many of the same design principles apply to industrial, environmental, security, communications, and research deployments.

Design for the Complete Load

Cameras and sensors rarely operate alone. Include network switches, radios, converters, routers, controllers, heaters, monitoring equipment, and any other supporting electronics in the power calculation.

Match Voltage at the System Level

Battery voltage does not need to dictate the voltage of every connected device. Appropriate DC conversion can allow several types of equipment to operate from one underlying power architecture.

Reduce Unnecessary Field Wiring

PoE can simplify compatible camera and network installations by delivering power and Ethernet connectivity through the same cable.

Plan for Limited Communications

A remote system should not become unusable simply because external communications are temporarily unavailable. Critical local functions should continue according to the requirements of the application.

Make Monitoring Part of the Design

When network access is available, remote voltage, current, temperature, and equipment-state information can make troubleshooting and maintenance planning considerably more useful.

Remote Research Power FAQs

How long were the Arctic camera systems left unattended?

The case study describes deployments lasting approximately 8 to 12 weeks, during which researchers needed the equipment to operate without routine maintenance visits.

What Tycon® products were used in the Arctic research system?

The documented system includes the TP-SW8-D PoE switch, TP-VRHP-1256 DC voltage converter, and TPDIN-Monitor-WEB3 remote monitoring and control device.

Why use a voltage converter in a battery-powered system?

A DC voltage converter allows equipment requiring a different voltage to operate from the site's primary battery architecture. In this application, the TP-VRHP-1256 converts a 10–15VDC input to regulated 56VDC output.

Why is PoE useful for remote research cameras?

PoE can deliver Ethernet data and electrical power to compatible equipment through the same network cable, simplifying distributed camera and communications installations.

Can the system operate without an internet connection?

The documented deployment was designed to support autonomous field operation as well as remote monitoring when connectivity was available. The specific capabilities of another installation will depend on its equipment and system architecture.

Can Tycon Systems® help design a similar remote research system?

Tycon Systems® can help evaluate equipment load, operating voltage, PoE requirements, battery storage, solar generation, monitoring, environmental conditions, and other requirements for remote research and field infrastructure projects.