6 Best Solar Powered Weather Stations Reviewed For Your Backyard

Regarding personal weather stations, most of today’s models come with one of two power options: battery or solar.

The battery-powered variant was far more common for a long time.

The disadvantage was that you had to remember to replace the batteries regularly. If you fail to do so, you may find yourself wondering why your weather station isn’t recording data.

You should also inspect the batteries regularly for water damage from the elements and corrosion. Batteries contain acid, thus eroded, and water-damaged batteries might leak. If you’re not careful, this can cause harm to your sensor suite.

Instead, we recommend adopting a largely powered solar energy station to avoid the issues that full battery-powered personal weather stations frequently experience.

While solar-powered weather stations still include backup batteries, they are usually enclosed batteries inside the machine. Because they offer a larger operating temperature range than a typical disposable battery, they perform far better in colder and hotter conditions. 

Solar panels on the sensor suite provide enough electricity to power the sensors during the day while also charging the internal batteries. The sensor runs on internal battery power during the night until sufficient sunlight returns.

According to manufacturers, solar-powered stations may work almost anywhere with at least 4-6 hours of daylight annually. In some weather stations, such as the Davis Pro2, solar panels charge a supercapacitor, which subsequently powers the station at night. If the capacitor’s discharge is drained, the internal battery pack is solely used as a backup.

Benefits of using a solar-powered weather station

The solar-powered weather station is a tremendous improvement in weather stations. These are the most innovative and cutting-edge equipment that every home requires.

It performs all required weather station activities, such as monitoring rainfall, pressure, temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors. You no longer need to monitor the station’s battery life because it doesn’t require one!

It is solar-powered and does not require any current or electric flow, making it more appealing than conventional weather stations. Simply keeping it in the presence of the sun will charge the battery with little effort.

Solar-powered weather stations are one-time expenditures that will provide you with all the necessary functionality without requiring you to pay additional monthly electric expenses!

With so many different brands of solar-powered batteries to choose from, you’re certain to be perplexed. It will take a significant amount of your valuable time and effort to find a solar-powered weather station with all the necessary features at an affordable price.

The best solar-powered weather stations

The best three solar-powered weather stations that we recommend are shown below. We chose the Davis Vantage Pro2 in the first place because of its superior performance and dependability, but the Vantage Vue is a close second and still a good option. However, if money is an issue, the Ambient Weather WS-1002-WIFI OBSERVER is an excellent choice.

Davis vantage pro2

The Davis Vantage Pro2 offers near-professional grade weather equipment in a compact that most customers can afford. You’ll get all of the basic weather information and the option to add solar, UV, and soil moisture sensors.

The temperature and humidity sensors are protected from direct sunlight by a radiation shield. You can even upgrade to a model with a 24-hour fan-aspirated radiation barrier for the most precise temperature readings.

Davis vantage view

If you can’t afford the additional price of the Vantage Pro2, the Vantage Vue is our next-best option. Accuracy is comparable to the Vantage Pro2, albeit, with less effective shading, your temps may skew somewhat higher on hot summer days with intense sunshine.

Because it includes an all-in-one sensor suite, the Vantage Vue is exceedingly easy to set up. Like the Pro2, you get all the basic weather readings, but you can’t add extra sensors to this model. Depending on what you want and need your weather readings for, the Vantage Pro2 may be a better alternative.

Ambient weather ws-1002-wifi observer

Ambient Weather has a variety of weather station models, including the WS-1002, which competes with the Davis Vantage Vue. While we enjoyed the WS-1002’s easy internet connectivity, its accuracy falls short of any of Davis Instruments’ solutions.

The station’s construction also appears to be less durable, reducing its usable life. Still, you can’t beat the price, and the WS-1002 is a high-quality solar-powered weather station.

La crosse technology s81120-int with new breeze solar wind sensor

The La Crosse Technology S81120-INT with New Breeze Solar Wind Sensor is a great alternative for anyone seeking a cheap professional-grade solar-powered weather station. This very reliable and accurate equipment comes with all the installation components required for an easy setup.

It allows you to obtain all necessary weather readings, such as temperature, rainfall, humidity, and wind. The humidity and wind sensors are protected from direct sunlight by a radiation shield.

This latest La Crosse Technology weather station includes a new breeze sensor and a modular bracket for placement on any rooftop or location.

From an easy-to-read LCD color display, the professional weather station allows you to monitor all of your house and backyard weather conditions. It has a programmable backlight and an auto-dim feature.

Proweatherstation tp3000wc

Look no further if you’re looking for a wonderful and easy-to-use solar weather station for your home! The ProWeatherStation TP3000WC is powered by the sun and employs superior sensor technology with wireless data.

It includes a 7-in-1 sensor array with an anemometer, wind direction meter, temp/humidity sensor, rain gauge, and solar/light sensor! As you can see, there is a wide range of possibilities for keeping an eye on the elements!

It’s really simple to put up, with its main power source coming from a solar sensor array. 2 AA batteries provide a battery backup in the event of a power outage!

Acurite atlas 01007m

You’ll need something extremely dependable to maintain a close eye on the local environment for your livelihood. The AcuRite Atlas 01007M is an excellent choice for people that require accurate tracking 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

At any time of day, you can get real-time weather information on your phone, tablet, or desktop at any time. Anyone involved in agriculture understands the importance of having accurate and up-to-date weather information. Not only that, but information pertinent to your area – not simply the nearby airport!

Things to consider before purchasing a solar-powered weather station

Buying the ideal solar-powered weather station is not as simple as making tea! You will be perplexed by the featured products in this list of the best solar-powered weather stations available with features you would not expect.

However, the issue is finding the ideal Solar Powered Weather Station with all the features at an affordable price. Here are a few things you should look for in Solar Powered Weather Stations before making a final decision.

Accuracy

Consider how accurate your weather station must be. If your livelihood depends on precise tracking, make it as precise as possible. However, if you are a hobbyist or gardener, little variation may not be an issue for you daily.

Durable

Who wants a product that will be ruined in a matter of weeks? Nobody! When you invest so much money, it is reasonable to demand a high-quality, dependable product. Always look for a strong solar-powered weather station that can withstand harsh conditions. Also, search for a class that guarantees you won’t need to replace it within a year.

Installation

We are aware that there is a long list of products that are extremely difficult to install. Everyone doesn’t need to be an electrician to repair these weather stations. It is essential to look for one that is easy to install.

Purchase one called “Plug and Play,” allowing you to place the weather station in the sun and begin monitoring. Check to see if you need to contact an electrician to install your Solar Powered Weather Station.

Attachments

The required attachments, such as sensors or base units, must be securely fastened; whether you want to mount them on a specific wall or on the ground is totally up to you. Make sure that these attachments do not damage the chosen surfaces. The accessories must be placed carefully for the station to function properly.

Appearance

Do you believe that the appearance of a weather station is important? It may not be the most important factor. But assume you’ve placed an unsightly weather station in a location accessible to your guests! As a result, it is always preferable to select the one that appears to be attractive.

Give a brief description of the weather station’s style, design, and color. You may install it in a gazebo or a sunroom, which will look great in your yard or wherever else. It’s time to get creative and play smart to make your home or any other location more appealing and gorgeous.

Technology

Technology usage in modern weather stations varies, and solar-powered weather stations are relatively new. Many allow you to track the elements remotely from the comfort of your own home or workplace. If you want something with built-in remote monitoring, a wireless monitoring device is a must-have when making a purchase decision.

Features

Though the fundamental role of a weather station is to monitor parameters, weather stations have several unique and advanced features that make them multipurpose. Don’t overlook complex features; you’ll receive them at a reasonable price and with long-lasting quality. Few weather stations are Alexa and Google Assistant compatible. You may have to pay a few extra dollars, but these make your job much easier.

How solar-powered weather station works?

A solar-powered weather station runs entirely on natural sunshine to power its sensors. The sensor suite is outfitted with solar panels that gather power from the sun and convert it into electrical energy to power the sensors. The panels generate enough power to power the weather station during the day and at night.

To ensure that the unit performs optimally, position it so that it receives maximum sunshine exposure. According to the manufacturers of these home weather stations, the equipment may efficiently operate in any place that receives 4-6 hours of sunshine year-round.

These weather monitoring systems also include a rechargeable internal battery. While the solar panel powers the sensors throughout the day, it also charges this battery, ensuring that the station continues to function properly at night or when there is insufficient sunlight.

Which is better: Solar-powered or battery-powered weather stations?

A solar-powered station runs entirely on solar power, which provides it an advantage over a standard type. It eliminates the need to change the batteries regularly.

The issue with battery-powered devices is that you’ll have to change their batteries all the time (this takes time and effort). If you don’t, your station will go out of service!

You’ll also need to inspect these batteries frequently for any damage. Keep in mind that these batteries contain acid. As a result, if they are broken (which is probable during the cold winter months or a storm), they can leak and inflict irreparable harm to your sensor suite.

You will never have to deal with any of these issues if you use a solar-powered weather station.

But, you could say solar-powered machines have batteries as well.

The advantage of these batteries is that they are only for “backup”; thus, they do not need to be replaced regularly. Furthermore, they are often encased within the unit and are built to endure hotter and colder temperatures (unlike the standard disposable batteries). 

Oh! Don’t forget that the standard models also require some expenditure since you’ll need to replace the batteries whenever the present ones run out to keep your machine functioning.

And, if the power goes out in a solar power unit, you can be confident that all of your data is safe. This is in contrast to battery-powered devices, where the memory is destroyed when the batteries are changed.

However, there are a few drawbacks to the solar-powered unit.

Consider the labor and time required to orient the solar panels for maximum sun exposure. This is not something you have to do with the standard models.

Some areas may not receive sunshine for most of the day. This means your weather station will have less or no electricity to operate, which means it will not meet your weather observation demands.

The solar-powered weather stations are also slightly more expensive than standard models.

How can these products save you money in the long run?

Every time you need to replace the batteries in a standard weather station, you’ll have to pay some money (in terms of a new battery pack).

In other words, the maintenance cost of a standard weather station is considerable because you’ll have to pay yearly to maintain your device operationally.

However, when it comes to the solar-powered weather station, it operates fully on FREE solar power, considerably lowering its maintenance costs. And as previously stated, these stations include supercapacitors and internal batteries that serve as a backup power source at night or when there is no sunshine.

If you do the math, you’ll see that a solar-powered device can save you a large amount of money over a year, which you can use toward other vital activities.

Installation tips for a solar-powered weather station

As previously stated, solar-powered stations need only a few hours of daylight. This means that some of these stations can even work close to the poles in the winter, as long as the sensor location receives some direct sunshine. Contact the manufacturer if you are concerned that a lack of direct sunshine affects your PWS. Many of these companies have already placed their stations in harsh conditions and advise you on the best course of action. 

You’ll want to place your sensor where it gets the most sunlight. If you’ve read our buying guide for the best weather stations, follow our placement recommendations. Of course, this is especially crucial in locations where the winter evenings are long.

Don’t be concerned about direct sunshine interfering with your readings. Manufacturers of the best personal weather stations anticipate that you will place your sensor suite in the sun to collect data. Radiation shielding and even aspiration fans are included in the best weather stations to protect your sensors and ensure the accuracy of your readings.

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Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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