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Solar energy is fast becoming an integral part of the global energy mix, and this has been sparked by the need for sustainable and renewable sources of energy. The United States, for example, has approximately 2,500 solar farms alone while the UK’s installed solar capacity hit 15 GW with more than 1,000 solar farms in operation.
This growth, however, has been accompanied by an unintended consequence: a huge rise in the number of thefts involving solar panels. The cabling and materials used in solar farms often contain substantial amounts of copper, which has increased in value by 30% over the last five years, making solar farms attractive targets for thieves who resell it in the black market.
The rise in solar theft is not just a localized issue but a global concern. In the UK, there was a 48% increase in solar panel and cabling thefts from 2021 to 2022. Police in the UK also observed a 93% rise in reports of solar-related crimes during the same period, according to PV Magazine.
The UK's experience is mirrored in Europe. A German security company reports over 5,000 "major" solar thefts annually in Europe, with over 400 in Germany alone. In southern Italy, the solar crime rate is ten times higher than the European average. In Japan, stolen cables at solar power facilities account for 50% - 60% of all thefts involving metals.
The financial impact of these thefts are substancial. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that approximately $1 billion worth of copper is stolen annually from various locations, including solar farms. Earlier this year, nearly $100,000 worth of copper was stolen from a solar farm in Fresno, California, causing more than $2.8 million dollars worth of damages, according to the sheriff’s office.
Organized crime is often behind these thefts, employing sophisticated logistics. As reported, raiders typically remove between 100 to 300 solar panels—up to 10 tons of material. In one extreme case, thieves took down over 15,000 panels in a single weekend. Cable theft is also rampant in Europe, where organized gangs can strip over 30 km of copper during a 5-hour nighttime raid.
But the real problem goes beyond the up-front costs associated with replacing stolen materials and equipment. Project delays, shortages, and significant financial and operational losses can result from solar theft. Insured customers can replace stolen solar panels, but ongoing theft raises insurance premiums, adding further financial strain.
Photovoltaic power plants, often built in remote locations with no regular human presence, requires smarter security. Given the limited availability of law enforcement in these isolated areas, implementing robust security solutions is crucial. With over 14 years of experience in the video security sector, Angelcam recommends 7 strategies and tools for solar farm operators to protect their valuable equipment against solar theft:
Installing high-quality surveillance cameras is the first step. Cameras should be placed strategically around the site to ensure comprehensive coverage. Installing cameras out of reach makes it harder for thieves to tamper with or disable them. Visible cameras also serve as a powerful deterrent, as potential thieves are less likely to target a site with visible security measures.
Moving your surveillance infrastructure to the cloud offers many benefits like always having a backup of the video footage, real-time notifications if cameras go offline, and most importantly, the ability to remotely monitor premises from anywhere and respond quickly to any incidents in real time. Angelcam allows for a cohesive security infrastructure, connecting over 200 camera brands to a single, secure cloud-based platform for efficient management.
Solar farms in remote or isolated areas often lack reliable internet connectivity rendering security cameras almost useless. As previously showcased here, low-earth orbit satellite internet providers like Starlink can be deployed on a solar farm with an extremely low-cost, high-speed, and uninterrupted Internet connection, no matter how remote the location, ensuring continuous round the clock monitoring. In this regard, Angelcam's AngelBox works seamlessly with dynamic IP addresses, making it ideal for Starlink-powered internet connections.
Integrating surveillance with real-time alert systems is crucial. Motion detection and custom alarms can notify security personnel or managers immediately when a breach occurs, enabling a quick response and filtering out false alarms. Angelcam’s Real-Time Security enhances real-time responsiveness by facilitating fast communication with third-party central monitoring stations and emergency responders, such as Noonlight in the US.
Prevention is better than cure. Implementing deterrent measures such as motion-activated lights or speakers can effectively discourage thieves by startling them with police-like flashing lights or authoritative voice commands, making them reconsider their actions. Angelcam's API allows for custom integration of speakers, lights, alarms triggers and sensors, creating an environment that is not only difficult to breach but also immediately intimidating to potential intruders.
Utilizing artificial intelligence can significantly enhance surveillance by providing advanced analytics, predictive insights, incident reporting, and automated responses with higher accuracy and efficiency. AI can help security managers identify suspicious behavior, filter out false alarms with greater precision, detect unauthorized vehicles or people and trigger alerts even before a breach occurs, adding robust layers of security and more response time to act upon. Angelcam's AI integration solutions help you kickstart your own AI solution tailored to very specific needs.
Proactively reporting incidents to local authorities not only helps in immediate response but also aids in gathering data about solar theft trends. By sharing information on theft incidents, operators can contribute to a broader understanding of the problem, which is essential for developing effective countermeasures. This collective effort helps law enforcement and industry stakeholders stay ahead of the evolving tactics used by organized crime. Angelcam's Real Time Security offers an Incident reporting platform that easily lets users share security incidents with local authorities via SMS, Email, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and more.
By implementing these strategies, photovoltaic farms can enhance their security with proactive tools, effectively protecting valuable assets while combating solar theft and the illicit trade of solar equipment. Leveraging Angelcam’s solutions enables solar farms to utilize more efficient monitoring systems that anticipate and respond to security threats in real time. Furthermore, preventive tactics with deterrence tools, proven to discourage intrusion by 98%, can prevent damage and theft before they occur.
As the prices of metals like aluminum, copper, and silver—essential components of solar equipment and cabling—continue to rise, the threat of theft at solar farms escalates. Investing in advanced security features, such as those provided by Angelcam, can help mitigate this growing problem. By doing so, solar farm operators can ensure the safety of their assets, safeguard their investments, and continue their operations knowing their facilities are well-protected against the increasing issue of solar theft.
For more information on securing your solar installations, request a demo or contact Angelcam directly at hello@angelcam.com or +1 (415) 767 0758 between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm EST. Don't wait until it's too late—take proactive steps to protect your assets today.
