CCTV systems or security guards: which provides better protection for UK solar farms and development sites?
This solar farm security comparison matters because it highlights the unique challenges faced by the renewable energy sector. Isolated locations, delayed response times, high-value assets and critical infrastructure all make solar farms and development sites prime targets for theft, vandalism and operational disruption.
Operators must choose between mobile CCTV systems and security guards to protect their sites, but the correct choice depends on coverage, response times, cost and other critical factors.
In this guide, we'll compare CCTV and manned security to help you choose a solution that protects your investments most effectively.
The Difference Between CCTV Systems & Security Guards
Here's a quick comparison summary between CCTV systems and security guards:
| Feature | CCTV Systems | Security Guards |
| Coverage |
Near-360° camera coverage for complete day-to-night surveillance |
Limited patrol routes |
| Response Time |
Real-time alerts and rapid response |
Only immediate if present |
| Evidence Collection |
HD video footage with detailed activity reporting |
Limited to witness accounts |
| Monitoring |
24/7 remote monitoring from a single unit |
Multiple shifts are required for 24/7 surveillance |
| Threat Deterrents |
Visible CCTV Towers, audio warnings and keyholding and alarm response included |
Physical presence when on patrol |
| Weather Dependency |
All-weather operation; thermal imaging and night vision capabilities included |
Reduced effectiveness in poor conditions |
| Scalability |
Flexible expansion with hired Redeployable Towers and cameras |
Additional personnel costs |
| Cost |
Up to 88% savings compared to onsite personnel |
Between £5,000 and £10,000 monthly |
The combination of rapid response, 24/7 remote monitoring and cost-effectiveness makes CCTV systems a more attractive option to many.
With that in mind, let's compare CCTV systems and security guards in more detail.
Security site coverage
Established solar farms and those still under construction generally cover large land areas, ranging from 1 to 100 acres in predominantly rural locations. Due to the nature of these large power plants, comprehensive site coverage is vital for protecting critical infrastructure and valuable assets like copper cabling, solar panels and inverters from opportunistic thieves, vandals and organised crime groups.
- Mobile CCTV systems: Our CCTV Towers stand up to 6 metres tall and provide near-360° surveillance, offering reliable, visible security for remote sites lacking fixed infrastructure. Our advanced PTZ cameras can detect intruders at distances of up to 200 metres, using infrared imagery for day-to-night surveillance.
- Security guards: Guards face significant challenges covering large solar farm areas efficiently. Even with planned patrol routes, they cannot monitor all perimeters simultaneously, potentially missing areas that criminals can exploit.
Response time to security threats
Solar farms are typically situated in isolated locations, making them vulnerable targets for criminal activity. Quick response times are key to stopping incidents before damage occurs, enabling immediate action to prevent or deter security threats such as theft, vandalism and unauthorised access by squatters.
- Mobile CCTV systems: All our wireless security systems are equipped with motion sensors and intelligent video analytics that identify movement, loitering, perimeter breaches or suspicious activity in real-time. When a threat is detected, an immediate response is triggered, such as live voice-down audio challenges and sirens to deter intruders before damage is done.
- Security guards: On-site personnel can only respond if they are physically present at the incident location. However, on large solar farms and development sites, guards may be patrolling elsewhere when theft occurs, delaying or potentially missing security threats entirely.
Evidence collection
Solid evidence is essential for police investigations and insurance needs. Many UK insurers reject solar farm theft claims without proper incident documentation or may increase premiums if sufficient solar site security systems are not in place.
- Mobile CCTV systems: HD 4K cameras capture detailed footage of theft attempts, providing concrete evidence to back up crime incidents. With our CCTV cameras and fully-managed service, you receive automated notifications and generated reports, and can conduct manual reviews at any time for complete peace of mind.
- Security guards: Evidence gathering relies solely on witness accounts and incident reports. Without recorded video footage, investigations become more challenging, insurance claims may be rejected and solar farm operators are left to bear the cost of replacement and repairs alone.
Monitoring capabilities
Solar farms require constant surveillance to protect assets and maintain power generation. Any security breaches create vulnerabilities, potentially leading to lost revenue, downtime and even regulatory fines when renewable energy targets are not met.
- Mobile CCTV systems: Offering 24/7 remote monitoring, CCTV security systems operate continuously without breaks, holidays or shift changes. When a threat is detected, an instant alert is sent to our NSI Gold Accredited monitoring centres, where trained professionals view camera footage in real-time. From there, our mobile keyholding and alarm response teams take immediate action, such as triggering an audio warning, dispatching mobile guards or contacting emergency services.
- Security guards: Continuous surveillance requires multiple shifts, increasing the cost for solar farm and development site owners significantly. Long night shifts and consequent fatigue, holidays and unexpected sick days create potential security gaps, reducing the effectiveness of day-to-night surveillance coverage.
Site condition monitoring
The renewable energy sector must monitor ecological conditions for operational efficiency and compliance with planning permissions. This monitoring assesses the impact that solar panel farms and development sites might have on the surrounding environments.
- Mobile CCTV systems: Advanced site monitoring sensors can integrate with Rapid Deployment CCTV Towers to create a single point for environmental data, Time Lapse and security in real-time. These IoT-based sensors track noise, dust, vibration, CO₂ emissions and weather through a single integrated site management platform.
- Security guards: On-site personnel cannot measure environmental conditions accurately without specialised equipment. Additional monitoring systems would be required, increasing the overall costs for site operators.
SITE CONDITION MONITORING PIC
Threat deterrent factor
Visible threat deterrents help prevent theft attempts before they occur, reducing the risk of costly damage and revenue loss.
- Mobile CCTV systems: Bright yellow CCTV towers stand up to 6 metres tall and serve as highly visible deterrents that can be seen for miles. Equipped with high-quality 4K CCTV cameras and audio warnings, and linked to keyholding and alarm response centres, they provide an additional layer of security by discouraging intruders from accessing solar and development sites.
- Security guards: While security guards have their place, they are only effective when visible. Criminals may observe patrol patterns and work around these activities to initiate a heist.
Consistent surveillance (weather)
As mentioned, reliable, consistent surveillance is essential for renewable energy farms and development sites to protect equipment and investments - even more so in darkness, inclement weather and harsh UK winters.
- Mobile CCTV systems: Thermal CCTV Towers are ideal for off-grid locations. Equipped with thermal imagery cameras, they detect heat signatures and make intruders visible in fog, dust and darkness. Smart Towers with advanced AI technology and in-built infrared night vision provide near-360° visibility regardless of lighting or weather conditions.
- Security guards: Guard effectiveness varies in poor weather conditions, potentially leaving solar and development sites prime targets for criminals, trespassers and squatters.
Scalability
Whether you're managing one solar installation or multiple sites, security solutions must adapt to changing layouts and evolving needs to protect critical infrastructure effectively.
- Mobile CCTV systems: Rapid Deployment and Temporary CCTV Towers can be installed quickly to cover new areas. Affordable rental options provide immediate short-term coverage without long-term commitments, which are ideal for development sites that only need temporary protection or when fixed systems are too expensive. These systems are ready to deploy, easy to relocate and fully supported for as long as you need them.
- Security guards: Scaling security requires hiring additional personnel, which increases training costs, wage bills and management complexity. Finding qualified security guards for remote locations can also be challenging.
Cost-effectiveness
Top-quality security expenses impact solar farm profitability significantly, making cost-effective security solutions essential for viable operations.
- Mobile CCTV systems: Our CCTV solutions can reduce security costs by up to 88% compared to manned guards. For operators managing multiple sites or construction phases, this means substantial annual savings without compromising quality. Our flexible rental options eliminate upfront capital investments, providing 24/7, day-to-night surveillance when you need it most.
- Security guards: These professionals cost anywhere between £5,000 and £10,000 per month. There is also the possibility of additional expenses for relocations, transport and accommodation, plus the headache of tax, licensing and employment compliance.
Now that we've covered the key differences between CCTV security and manned guards, you can download our brochures for more details on our WCCTV security solutions.
Secure Solar Farms With WCCTV Today
Choosing between mobile CCTV systems and security guards depends on your specific solar farm and development site requirements. While on-site personnel offer a physical presence, CCTV systems consistently deliver superior site coverage at a fraction of the cost.
With over 20-years of experience in mobile security solutions, WCCTV is the UK's leading supplier of rapid deployment systems. Our systems are specifically designed for temporary security or targeted surveillance applications.
Interested in finding out how our Mobile CCTV can suit you and your next solar project? Reach out to our team and protect your solar investments the smart way today.
FAQs About CCTV Systems & Security Guards
Why do solar farms need security systems?
Solar farms and development sites require robust security measures to protect valuable assets against the rising wave of crime. Police reports have shown a 48% increase in solar farm theft involving solar panels and copper cables in 2022 alone.
How do I secure solar farms in remote locations?
The most efficient remote solar farm security systems include a combination of various security measures, such as:
- Security fencing along perimeters with access control on entry points.
- Mobile CCTV Towers with perimeter intrusion detection (PID) systems.
- High-quality HD CCTV cameras equipped with night vision, thermal imaging and AI technology.
- Remote monitoring with keyholding and alarm response.
- Where necessary, on-site personnel.
Combining these security measures helps deter and detect threats early, ensuring a rapid response to incidents and keeping your investments safe.
Are security guards better than CCTV at renewable energy sites?
While security guards can act as physical deterrents, they cannot monitor large areas of renewable energy sites at once. On the other hand, CCTV systems offer near-360° coverage, operate autonomously and provide 24/7 surveillance in all weather conditions, even in remote locations with power constraints. They're also generally more affordable than manned security, making them a more practical solution for securing the renewable energy sector.
