Solar Panel for Ring Video Doorbell 2nd Gen

Hi all,

I’m having an issue with my Ring video doorbell 2nd Generation and the Micro USB Solar Panel.

At this moment in time the doorbell is on the sofa next to me but on the app it states Solar Status Connected, which it isn’t.

I’ve reset the doorbell back to factory settings, removed it from the app, added it again and it still states its connected to the solar panel.

On a side note, when it’s connected to the solar panel, it doesn’t appear to be charging the doorbell, as the battery still drains. Unlike the Spotlight Cams I have, they’re connected to their solar panels and the app states “A Ring solar accessory is connected and able to charge this device.”

Is this a common issue with the 2nd gen doorbell and micro USB solar panel and does the app not display the same message when the doorbell is connected to the solar panel as the cams do?

Hi @DougiePR. Which Solar Panel did you purchase? There are different Solar accessories for the Cameras and the Doorbell. For any of the Ring Doorbell models, you would use the Solar Charger or the Solar Panel for Video Doorbell. The Solar Charger and Solar Panel will provide a trickle charge to the battery, as long as they receive at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day.

After ensuring you have a compatible Solar Panel, try performing a reboot on your Doorbell using the reboot option on the Device Health page. If that doesn’t resolve this issue with the Solar Status and charging, please follow up with our support team at one of the numbers available here. If you are outside of the US, please visit here to see how to contact support.

Hi @Caitlyn_Ring,

Here’s a link to the Solar Panel I have for my doorbell: Solar Panel for Doorbell Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)

I may be expecting too much from the Solar Panel. Perhaps an answer to the following question would be helpful.

I have a number of ring cameras, all of which are connected via Solar Panel. The panels fully charge the batteries in these cameras, would I be right in thinking that the Solar Panel for my video doorbell won’t fully charge the battery, it will simply trickle charge it instead? Meaning it will never fully charge it?

@DougiePR All of the Ring Solar Panels provide a trickle charge. Solar charging does not charge the battery as quickly as manually charging it would, and this applies to all devices. If the activity levels are similar between all devices, the charge level should be similar as well. That’s why I suggested a reboot, and then to follow up with our support team if it continues to not register the Solar Panel or gain any level of charge from it with regular activity levels.