For non-powered or battery tracker asset tracking, two types of solutions dominate the market: solar-powered trackers and battery-powered trackers. As a developer experienced in both, TOPFLYtech understands that each serves different use cases. They’re not interchangeable, but rather complementary. Let’s explore their real-world pros, cons, and what sets our Solar Asset Trackers apart.
One of the greatest strengths of solar-powered trackers is their self-sustaining energy system. The solar panel continuously recharges the internal battery, ensuring consistent performance and eliminating the need for manual recharging.
With an optimized reporting interval that fits your region’s climate, the battery can maintain healthy performance for years. Even in periods of low sunlight, the internal battery is large enough to keep the device operating for months.
Sometimes the solar panel even receives too much sunlight—our power management algorithm automatically regulates charging to protect the battery.
Because solar energy supports constant recharging, these devices can report positions more frequently.
For example, in regions like North America and Australia, we recommend 60-second reporting intervals while moving. This provides near-real-time asset visibility—ideal for fleets, trailers, or equipment in transit.
Our solar devices are built with intelligent battery management, so they keep performing even through extended cloudy periods or low-light conditions.
Outdoor devices face harsh environments—rain, snow, dust, vibration, and UV exposure.
Unlike standard battery trackers, solar trackers have seams around the solar panel that can become weak points. TOPFLYtech’s TLP Series features IP67-level waterproofing and reinforced housing design to ensure long-term reliability, even in extreme outdoor conditions.
The secret to long-lasting solar trackers lies in battery chemistry and charge management. Too much solar charging can shorten the battery’s lifespan; too little charging leads to downtime.
TOPFLYtech’s R&D team spent years fine-tuning this balance to maximize both performance and longevity. This ensures consistent energy flow even under varying sunlight conditions.
Not all solar panels are created equal. After extensive testing across multiple climates, TOPFLYtech chose Monocrystalline Solar Panels, known for their 18–22% efficiency, durability, and performance under weak light.
This choice ensures faster energy conversion and helps maintain 1-minute GPS fixes throughout the product’s lifetime.
One of the biggest advantages of solar asset trackers is the dramatic reduction in total cost of ownership.
TOPFLYtech’s supply chain optimization and in-house manufacturing in Shenzhen allow us to keep our solar trackers priced comparable to premium battery trackers, but with much lower long-term maintenance costs.
Our advanced Ternary Lithium Battery and smart charging control further extend the battery’s usable life—ensuring stable performance over years of operation.
Battery tracker, such as TOPFLYtech’s long-life asset tracking series, remain essential in certain environments—particularly indoor or covered deployments, where sunlight is limited.
They’re ideal for use in warehouses, tool containers, or movable equipment stored indoors.
Battery trackers are also typically smaller and easier to conceal, which makes them perfect for security-sensitive or short-term use cases.
Since releasing our first solar tracker in 2019, TOPFLYtech has continued refining its design through real-world feedback and deep collaboration with logistics and fleet management partners.
Across the past few years, we’ve achieved significant advancements in:
It takes substantial investment and engineering effort to develop a truly stable solar tracker, and we’re proud to deliver one that consistently exceeds expectations in global deployments.
Solar-powered trackers offer sustainability, lower maintenance, and real-time visibility, making them ideal for outdoor non-powered assets like containers, trailers, and heavy machinery.
Battery-powered trackers, on the other hand, remain unbeatable for indoor and low-sunlight operations.
At TOPFLYtech, we believe the future of asset tracking lies in intelligent power management—using solar where possible and high-efficiency batteries where necessary.
Either way, your assets stay visible, your operations efficient, and your costs under control.
From GPS Tracking to Cognitive Vision Fleet management has evolved dramatically over the past decade,…
The Background of Fishing Boat Tracking Sustainable marine tracking is not just an environmental goal—it…
In logistics, knowing who unlocked your cargo is important—but knowing who locked it back is…
Immobilisers Reduce Theft—Here’s the Proof “A systematic review of 16 international studies found that electronic…
Who's Behind the Wheel? Now You’ll Always Know. In a fast-moving fleet operation, only handling…
Fuel Theft: A Billion-Dollar Crisis Fuel theft under lack of fuel monitoring isn't just a…