Solar farms are becoming increasingly popular as a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to generate electricity. With the growing demand for green energy, criminals have also discovered this trend. Indeed, farms have been an attractive target for copper thieves in recent months. VCS Observation is combating this phenomenon with real-time camera surveillance.
Growing problem
Copper theft is a serious problem. It causes enormous financial damage. In March, it hit solar farm Oranjepoort in Drenthe. Here, the damage amounted to some €200,000. At solar farm Armhoede in Lochem, copper thieves captured thirteen kilometres of cables. And a solar farm in Deurne, Noord-Brabant, saw 100 kilometres of cables disappear into the hands of copper thieves in June. Holland Sonar recognises that it really is a growing problem.
Copper thieves leave behind a trail of destruction. As a result, you as a solar farm operator face direct and indirect damage. Because your equipment is damaged during the theft, there is direct damage. But copper theft also jeopardises the operational efficiency of solar farms. Criminals, for example, pull cables out of the ground and out of solar panels and inverters. As a result, installations sometimes lie idle for months and no power is generated. With all the (financial) consequences.
Camera surveillance works
A few years ago, railway tracks were the biggest victim of copper theft. However, this is no longer the case since ProRail installed cameras and fences along the tracks. Therefore, VCS is also deploying camera surveillance to combat copper theft at solar farms. So that we also reduce the number of incidents here. For this purpose, VCS provides tailor-made solutions for real-time camera surveillance. And so, guarantee the security of your solar farm.
To do so, we deploy innovative technologies such as video surveillance systems, smart detection, and alarm systems. As a result, we guarantee a high level of security. Our solutions are proactive and flexible. And can be seamlessly integrated into your solar farm’s existing infrastructure. We also take on the management and monitoring of the security systems. We provide a 24/7 monitoring service and ensure rapid response to incidents. This way, we detect any threats in time and address them immediately and significantly minimise the risk of theft.
Smart camera capabilities
Our smart cameras can be set up in various ways. For example, we can mark out a certain area within which people are allowed to enter. Is someone walking around somewhere at a certain time when they should not be? Our smart cameras spot this immediately and send a signal to the control room. This means immediate action is taken and emergency services arrive quickly.
Our experts place cameras at strategic points. Think of the entrance, along the fence and on top of pylons. This gives you a complete overview of the premises. Our smart cameras can also recognise number plates, identify people, and register movement. Thanks to modern technologies such as infrared scanning and thermal cameras, you even have visibility in bad weather and low light.
Find out more
Curious about how we can help you secure your solar farm against the growing threat of theft? Or would you like to know more about camera surveillance, mobile camera surveillance or cybersecurity? Together, we can ensure safe and efficient solar farms. Contact us via e-mail or call us +31 416 54 10 10.
