Analysts at Citigroup predict that copper prices will rise over the next two years. As much as towards $15,000 per metric tonne. Reason enough to increase the security of your solar farm considerably. VCS supports you with camera surveillance of your solar farm.
A high copper price means copper thieves lurking. The railway line and solar parks are mainly victims of these copper thieves. Since last year, the number of copper thefts at solar parks has been increasing rapidly.
Copper price already high last year
The high copper price already worried director Olof van der Gaag of the Nederlandse Vereniging Duurzame Energie (NVDE). He told RTL Nieuws: “The fact that the copper price is so high is also related to the energy transition. After all, this requires a lot of new copper cables, as many as thousands of kilometres. Unfortunately, we see some people trying to make a business out of it illegally. But how to solve the problem is the question.”
Copper prices were already at a record high of $10,730 per metric tonne in 2022. Citigroup analysts expect to go well over this in the next two years. With a record of $15,000 per metric tonne. That represents a huge increase from the current level of 8,500. So an even more attractive target for copper thieves.
Huge damage costs
But not if it is up to VCS. We offer camera surveillance on solar farms to prevent damage from theft or vandalism and ensure continuity. After all, the damage goes beyond just the stolen copper pipes you have to replace.
You may incur damage from vandalism during the break-in. Thieves may have cut a hole in your fence to gain access to your solar farm. This incurs repair costs. Also, one or more solar panels are not functioning. As a result, you generate less power. All in all, the damage sometimes runs into tons.
Multifunctional, smart cameras
Our expert technicians position cameras strategically at points such as the entrance, along your fence and on masts. This way, we provide you with a complete site overview. We also install cameras with the capacity to recognise number plates, identify people and record movement. Thanks to modern technologies such as infrared scanning and thermal cameras, observation remains effective in bad weather and low light. These cameras are permanently connected to a (private) control room. So that immediate action can be taken if necessary.
We set up our cameras to optimise security in various ways. You can choose to mark specific areas where people are allowed to be. Does the camera detect someone at a place or time that is not allowed? Then the monitoring centre receives an immediate signal, allowing immediate action to be taken. This minimises the risk of damage to your solar farm.
Discover the advantages
Would you like to know more about the possibilities of camera surveillance at solar parks? And are you curious about how VCS can guarantee security at your solar farm? Contact us via e-mail or phone number 0416 54 10 10.
