A vast solar park surrounded by meadows, far away from the crowds and inhabited world. During the day, the park captures solar rays and converts them into energy, but at night it turns into a silent, deserted place. For criminals, this is an ideal situation. Solar parks are increasingly becoming targets for theft. Not surprising since there are valuable materials present. Copper in particular is in demand due to its high market price. Securing solar panels against theft is therefore essential.
As recently as 2023, 100 kilometres of copper cable was stolen at a solar farm in Brabant. Not only are the materials gone, but the entire park is at a standstill. Repairs take weeks and in the meantime the solar park is largely at a standstill. As a result, the damage runs into tons.
You see it more and more in the news: theft at solar farms. From 2022, more and more criminals started targeting these sites. They took valuable components such as solar panels, cables and inverters. Copper cables in particular are sought after because of their high market value.
The reason why solar parks are attractive to criminals is because they are often in remote locations. This way, local residents are inconvenienced as little as possible. However, this also has a downside: without proper security, thieves can strike undisturbed. In 2022, there were even solar parks without security cameras insured. Even today, there are parks that are only secured with a fence or even have no shielding at all. This makes it extra important to bet on solar panels securing against theft.
A large solar farm that normally supplies thousands of households with renewable energy is suddenly at a standstill. Not because of a malfunction, but because of theft. This has major consequences.
The damage caused by thieves is enormous. Copper cables are pulled out of the ground and solar panels are carelessly disconnected. To repair this often takes months. Not only the cost of repairs is high, but especially the time a solar farm is down causes high costs.
When materials are stolen for large quantities, a solar farm comes to a standstill for the most part. Without cables or inverters, a solar panel cannot provide energy. So energy production comes to a standstill, sometimes leading to damages amounting to hundreds of thousands of euros.
Securing solar panels against theft is essential to prevent damage and losses. Moreover, it is also a requirement of insurers these days. Below we list measures you can use to make a solar farm more secure.
These days camera security a requirement of insurers. Modern cameras with motion sensors send instant alarm notifications when suspicious activity is detected.
Thanks to night vision and the latest recognition technology, false alarms are minimised. For example, the camera can distinguish between a bird landing on the fence and an actual threat.
A fence around the site is a good start, but access control makes it even more secure. Consider working with drips, electric fences and secure access points with codes. This ensures that only authorised people can enter the premises.
One option is to install an additional security cable along the electrical wires that will sound an alarm if a cable is cut. It is also possible to secure the fencing. When someone cuts the fencing, an alarm goes off and/or bright lights jump on. This helps well in securing solar panels against theft.
Lights with motion sensors have a deterrent effect, especially in remote places where it is normally always dark. Thieves do not feel at ease when a bright light suddenly shines on them. Combine lights with an alarm or siren and criminals are quickly fled.
A security system is most effective when it is linked to an alarm centre. Professionals receive notifications when something suspicious is detected and this allows them to take immediate action. This ensures a quick response and increases the chances of thieves being caught in the act.
CBNN's solutions, such as 24/7 camera surveillance and smart access control, help detect and prevent unwanted situations early on. Moreover, good security is now a requirement of insurers. Just a fence around the park is no longer enough.
By investing in professional security measures, you comply with all conditions and avoid problems in case of damage claims. And most importantly, you know that your solar farm will be properly secured.
Do you have questions about securing solar panels against theft? Bart will be happy to tell you more about our approach and the solar parks we have already successfully secured. Feel free to get in touch!
Yes, many insurers make security a requirement to qualify for coverage in case of damage or theft. Having a solid security system helps you meet these requirements.
Costs depend on the size of the solar farm, the technology chosen and the maintenance required. For an accurate estimate, it is best to request a quote.
In case of suspicious activity, the security system immediately sends a notification to a control room or the owner. This allows quick action to be taken, such as calling in security personnel or the police.
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