Remote sites such as oil and gas leases, equipment yards, trucking depots and rural industrial lots need cameras that run without a grid connection or a wired internet line: solar-powered cameras with a battery bank, cellular (4G or LTE) uplink, motion-triggered clips instead of constant video, and rugged housings rated for deep cold. The main limits are winter daylight, cell coverage and data use: a camera sending 100 clips a day of 15 seconds at 2 Mbps uses about 11 GB a month, while streaming it constantly would use about 648 GB. Where a site has power and a fibre or cable link, a wired PoE system with a recorder is more reliable. Pixl Canada gives a free written quote for wired CCTV, and you pay after the job.
PCBy the Pixl Canada install team. Calculated October 26, 2026. 7 min read. Prices in Canadian dollars, before tax.
- Solar, cellular and wired options compared
- Data use calculated
- Theft, vandalism and wildlife false alerts
- Free written quote, pay after the job
- Choose the power and connection first: wired where possible, solar plus cellular where not.
- Upload clips on motion, not constant video, to control data cost.
- Size solar panels and batteries for December, not June.
- Expect false alerts from wildlife and snow. Use person and vehicle detection.
Which power and connection works for a remote site?
| Option | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| Wired PoE with a local recorder | Steadiest, no batteries, records locally even if the link drops | Needs power and cable runs. See cable guide |
| Solar plus cellular | No grid power, no wired internet | Winter sun, cell coverage, data plan. See solar and 4G cameras |
| Generator or battery bank plus cellular | Power for larger systems | Fuel and maintenance |
| Long-range wireless link to a site with internet | Avoids cellular data | Needs line of sight and planning |
What are the main risks at remote sites?
| Risk | Camera answer |
|---|---|
| Theft of equipment, fuel and copper | Cameras at gates and storage with alerts to a phone |
| Vandalism and trespass | Visible cameras and signs; vandal-resistant housings. See weather and impact ratings |
| Deep cold | Cameras and batteries rated for the lowest temperature |
| False alerts from animals and snow | Person and vehicle detection. See false alerts |
| Long distances | PTZ or thermal for wide areas. See PTZ camera guide |
What does a typical small remote site need?
| Location | Cameras | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Gate or access road | 1 to 2 | Vehicles and plates. See licence plate cameras |
| Equipment and fuel storage | 1 to 2 | Theft |
| Perimeter corners | 2 | Fence line |
| Office or trailer door | 1 | Entry |
Pixl gives a free written quote for wired CCTV and tells you whether a wired, solar or cellular design fits the site. See farm security cameras and construction site cameras for similar sites.
Remote site security cameras: frequently asked questions
What cameras work with no power and no internet?
Solar-powered cameras with a battery and a cellular (4G or LTE) connection.
How much data does a cellular camera use?
About 11 GB a month for 100 clips a day at 2 Mbps, and about 648 GB a month if it streams non-stop.
Do solar cameras work in winter in Alberta?
They can if sized for December, aimed at the low sun and kept clear of snow.
Can cameras work in extreme cold?
Only if rated for it. Check the operating range and consider heated models.
Is wired better for a remote yard?
If power and a network link exist, yes. It is steadier and records locally.
Does Pixl quote remote sites?
Yes. Send photos and the location. Wired CCTV gets a free written quote. You pay after the job.
Get a design for your remote site
Send photos and the location. You pay after the job.
Sources and method. Data use is calculated from bitrate (each 1 Mbps is 10.8 GB per day) and the stated clip length and count. Equipment, regulatory and safety requirements for oil and gas and industrial sites vary, so follow your operator’s and site rules.
About Pixl Canada. Pixl Canada is an installation company based in Edmonton, Alberta, serving cities across Canada with TV mounting, security cameras, appliance installation and smart home setup. Call or text (587) 899-7495. Open Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm and Sunday 9am to 7pm.