Solar sites don’t sit in town centres. They’re out in fields, hills, and remote terrain. That’s great for sunlight, but not so great for security.
TL;DR: Key points covered
Isolated solar sites are prime targets for cable and panel theft. Surveillance camera monitoring offers live coverage, instant response, and visible deterrents to stop crime before it happens. As a result, deploying a monitored video surveillance camera system is a no-brainier when it comes to protecting your solar sites.
Why is surveillance monitoring needed to protect solar sites?
These sites are easy to access, rarely patrolled, and packed with valuable infrastructure. CCTV camera monitoring services bridges the gap, delivering real-time protection where it’s needed most.
In the following sections of this article, we discuss the various ways monitored surveillance systems detect and deter crime at solar energy plants.
We cover:
- How sites in remote areas need advanced surveillance
- The ways infrared detection solutions reduce false alarms
- The reasons why thieves target solar sites – panels, wiring
- How cost effective video monitoring is, compared to the cost of guards
Remote locations need smarter surveillance
Solar sites are often off the beaten track. As a result, this makes them vulnerable to a range of threats and attractive targets for criminals.
When your site is miles from the nearest road or town, here are some challenges you might encounter:
- Thieves scoping out weak points in the site perimeter
- Panels are exposed to easy access as there is no onsite security
- Criminals know they can move fast and unseen
- Mobile signal and power outages make reactive systems unreliable
But with video surveillance camera monitoring:
- Cameras run on an IP network
- Footage streams live to an offsite team
- Alerts are handled immediately, not after damage is done
This kind of setup doesn’t rely on someone being nearby. It works because someone’s always watching.
Panels, inverters, and copper are high-value targets
Solar panels fetch a high price on the black market. And, as a result, this makes them attractive to thieves. The tech behind solar power is worth a lot, and criminals know it.
With monitored CCTV in place:
- Camera feeds cover inverters, panel arrays, and cabling runs
- Movement around these zones triggers instant alerts
- Operators issue voice warnings and contact keyholders or police
Theft isn’t just about the replacement cost. It’s about preventing panel theft, lost energy production and days of downtime that follows.
Night-time visibility changes the game
Accurately detecting threats after dark, is a common issue for solar site operators. Furthermore, dealing with security threats after dark, is a real challenge in the industry.
Most intrusions happen after dark, when no one’s on site.
That’s why surveillance camera monitoring is such an essential part of a well designed solar site security system:
- Infrared and thermal imaging for full night-time coverage
- Live feeds that show exactly what’s happening in real time
- Operators trained to distinguish between wildlife, workers, and actual threats
Cameras don’t sleep, and neither do the teams watching them. Our surveillance monitoring services for solar sites address the challenges of after hours security.
It’s more affordable than on-site security
Hiring security guards to patrol remote land 24/7 gets expensive fast. CCTV camera monitoring:
- Costs less over time
- Covers more ground than any single person can
- Never needs a break or a shift change
For solar farms, it’s the obvious choice for out-of-hours protection. All in all, the cost of CCTV monitoring is far less expensive than employing security guards.
Summary: The benefits of surveillance monitoring for solar sites
Remote solar farms need security that works without anyone being physically present. CCTV camera monitoring delivers that. You’ll know the moment something’s wrong — and more importantly, someone will be ready to act.
Got an isolated solar site?
Get in touch to build a camera monitoring setup that gives you total coverage, day or night, rain or shine.
FAQs
They’re far from public view, which gives thieves more time and freedom to act. Without live monitoring, criminals can strip cables or panels before anyone notices.
How do the monitored surveillance cameras work at night?
Infrared and thermal cameras detect movement and heat signatures, even in total darkness. This lets operators see threats clearly and respond just as fast after dark.
Do monitored cameras work in poor weather?
Yes. Modern systems are built to handle extreme conditions, with weatherproof housing and high-definition lenses. Remote teams can still view and respond, even in fog, rain, or snow.
Can I monitor more than one solar farm at once?
Definitely. CCTV systems can link multiple sites to the same monitoring centre, giving you centralised security for every location you manage.