Theft from solar farms is an increasing issue across the UK. The remote nature of these sites presents opportunistic thieves with a fresh target. Learn how to boost security with us.
Solar Farms are an increasingly popular target for opportunistic theft. The remoteness and unique setup of these sites creates a natural attraction for criminals looking to prey on the valuable assets on site.
Instances of solar farm theft have risen dramatically over recent years, correlating with both the rising costs of compound metals and the increased number of solar farms across the UK.
Criminals are targeting both the solar panels and any associated equipment, such as cables and power inverters, all of which have high resale values.
A recent example from April noted the theft of high-value cabling from a solar energy farm near Lancaster University.
Previous data showed that domestic Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) continue to target solar farms for theft, specifically earthing cable, which accounted for 43% of all thefts from solar farms between January 2022 and September 2024.
Below, we’ll be highlighting the growing need for enhanced security at Solar Farms and key recommendations for preventing crimes such as theft, trespass and vandalism.
Why is Solar Farm Security So Important?
Rising crime rates and the high value of assets at solar farms heighten the need for better security so site owners and businesses can protect their investments.
Solar farm thieves are becoming more organised in their approach, and sites without adequate security will be easy pickings, leaving owners with an expensive bill.
However, the impact of solar farm crime goes further than just the physical loss of materials.
Any theft or damage at solar farms will impact operational continuity, leaving businesses facing the challenge of lost revenues for the period they are non-operational.
Solar farms are playing an increasingly common role in the development of critical infrastructure, with UK operations marking an 8.1% year-on-year increase as of mid-2025. With larger goals of tripling solar capacity by 2030.
For development sites faced by crime like theft, this can delay projects and create a block on the Government’s goal and their aim to achieve Net Zero as a country by 2050.
Being the UK's leading supplier of Temporary CCTV systems for Critical National Infrastructure protection; we explore the key ways to protect against crime.
How to Increase Your Solar Farm Security
There are various ways to improve security at remote solar farms and development sites to boosting their protection and reduce crime, including:
Installing perimeter fencing: Used to reduce access to your solar farms, perimeter fencing will help ward off opportunist criminals such as thieves, trespassers and vandals. However, used alone, perimeter fencing can be scaled and it’s important you have a monitoring and recording system to back this.
Install motion-activated security lights: Criminals prefer to operate under cover of darkness; installing security lighting removes this opportunity. Motion-activated security lights are preferable as they use less energy, have a startling effect on criminals and don't draw unwelcome attention to your sites.
Install monitored, overt CCTV systems: An overt CCTV system will act as a visual deterrent to criminals; however, unmonitored cameras only serve to record activity rather than prevent it. That's why they should be backed with remote CCTV monitoring, like our Redeployable CCTV Cameras and Rapid Deployment CCTV Towers are, to help proactively protect your site.
Warning signs: Once you have taken steps to protect your sites, warn criminals that your sites are protected by installing signage around your sites. This will make them think twice and move to another target.
What is Remotely Monitored CCTV for Solar Farms?
Solar farms, particularly remote solar farms, are vulnerable to crime, so using remotely monitored CCTV is a cost-effective, reliable and proactive way of securing them.
You can utilise this 24/7 or simply when your staff are off-site.
If motion is detected at your sites, live CCTV images are sent to our NSI Gold accredited monitoring partners, who will then initiate a remote crime prevention response.
This response includes issuing live audio challenges, alarming sirens and dispatching Police to the scene if deemed to be appropriate.
As part of our response, you will receive a notification of the activity and a full report detailing actions taken by our team.
This provides you with complete oversight on any incidents and we can provide expert insight into any adjustments we’d recommend regarding the placement or number of CCTV Towers present at your Solar Farm.
The Benefits of Remote CCTV Monitoring for Solar Farm Security
Remote monitoring transforms a CCTV camera from a passive recording device to a proactive crime prevention tool.
We firmly believe a passive approach to security only fuels criminality, so we focus heavily on preventive crime measures in hopes of stopping intruders before anything even takes place.
The key benefits of remote monitoring include:
- Proactive security coverage 24/7, overnight or during unmanned hours - Remote CCTV monitoring can be activated whenever you require it.
- Real-time live audio challenges - Remote monitoring centres can provide these as a method to deter trespassers before they access or damage your site
- Accurate threat detection - Our accredited operators verify any alerted activity before contacting the Police and ensuring a priority response, helping reduce false alarms and better your security plan for the future.
- Mobile keyholding and alarm response for support - Provides you with a trained security professional who can attend site following the response from remote CCTV monitoring to minimise operational disruption for you.
- Transparent reporting - Any incident caught by remote CCTV monitoring will be followed by a full report on the incident, their response and the outcome, so that you have all the information on this as a business.
Managed CCTV Towers for Solar Farm Security
Being the UK's leading provider of managed CCTV systems for remote sites, including solar farms.
We supply our own manufactured CCTV Towers supported by a comprehensive service that includes a site survey, equipment installation, regular maintenance, remote video monitoring, proactive response and monthly reporting.
Regardless of your onsite power and internet availability, our CCTV systems are completely autonomous solutions that can work in any setting.
Interested in exploring security options for your solar farm or development site?
