Increasingly important: the safety and protection of solar parks

Konrad Wolfenstein

3 years ago

High damage caused by thefts in solar parks and what to do about it - three possible types of security, available to download as a PDF, see below

The safety and security of solar farms – Image: Romeo Rum|Shutterstock.com

With the expansion of renewable energies, especially in the area of photovoltaics, the number of solar parks in Germany is also increasing. The downside, however, is that criminal elements also know about the value of the photovoltaic components installed. Above all, the poor and incomplete security of the parks literally attracts them. Most of the systems are only provided with a fence protection. No obstacle to planned theft. Especially for professionals. It couldn't be easier to get hold of higher value items without much risk. As a rule, the solar parks are located far away from residential areas or areas that are regularly frequented by people.

What needs to be done?

First of all, it is important to be aware that the risk of burglary and theft has increased over the years. Securing a facility with a fence alone is no longer enough. See also the excerpt from thefts and break-ins in solar parks below .
It doesn't get any easier. It is no coincidence that insurance companies have restrictive requirements. Insurance is a basic requirement. What does the insurance specify? The 100% implementation of the requirements is elementary. Because if you're thrown out of one insurance company, you won't be able to find a new one so quickly.
Retrofitting is expensive and more expensive! In new buildings, the channels dug for photovoltaics can be used for video surveillance. Subsequent digging requires twice the work. In addition, it is not always clear where the cables that have already been laid underground have been laid.
A well-thought-out security concept is more than just prevention. Accidents can be noticed just as quickly and regular on-site inspections can be reduced to a minimum.
Every break-in and theft causes more than just property damage. Costs from repairs to restoration and negotiating with the insurance company to cover costs take time and nerves. In addition, the damage to our image should not be forgotten.

Whom can I contact?

Not everyone is a security expert or a certified specialist in security technology and outdoor surveillance, which is primarily recognized by insurance companies.

AVASUN perimeter protact is a brand of STYX Security Technology GmbH , a BHE certified company for security technology . It specializes in the perimeter security of solar parks worldwide using a wide variety of techniques, relying on security systems that are modular.

Contact person
Konrad Wolfenstein
Xpert.Plus / AVASUN

Tel: +49 89 89 674 804
k.wolfenstein ∂ avasun.net

Or contact form

The customer base includes:

Around 60 photovoltaic power plants across Europe
Industry as well as chemical and industrial parks in Austria and Germany
Logistics companies, express services and car logistics in Austria and Germany
Across Europe in the private premium segment – usually family offices from German-speaking countries
Critical infrastructure projects in Austria and Germany for state and private clients
Customers in the high security sector in Austria and Germany
Police and official objects

Here is an excerpt of thefts and break-ins in solar parks

The overview does not claim to be complete:

The break-in at the solar park in the Kehlheim district on November 28th, 2020 caused total damage of 500,000 euros The perpetrators stole a total of 73 inverters from the fenced-in solar park in the Mittersberg district. The material damage caused is estimated at around 50,000 euros.

stolen around November 24th, 2020, worth around 150,000 euros

Theft of solar modules on the night of November 20th, 2020 in the solar park at Alkersleben airfield. 160 photovoltaic modules worth several thousand euros were stolen.

Theft of more than 100 solar panels worth around 15,000 euros. The break-in at the solar park in Wusseken is believed to have occurred between November 18th and November 23rd, 2020. It can be assumed that the perpetrator or perpetrators took away the plates in a suitably large vehicle.

In the period from November 14th to November 21st, 2020, unknown perpetrators gained unauthorized access to the solar park in the Friedland district of Ramelow by tearing down a fence and stole 140 solar modules worth around 25,000 euros.

On November 15th, 2020, the solar park in Gribow was broken into. 35 inverters worth 35,000 euros were stolen.

Around November 8th, 2020, 36 cable drums with a total of 18 kilometers of copper cable disappeared from a solar park in Woldegk. Just a week ago, unknown people stole a cable drum in Stargard Castle near Neubrandenburg. She was a ton heavy. A thousand meters of copper cable was rolled up on the drum.

Around November 6th, 2020, 180 solar panels were stolen from a solar park in Wittstock. The pure material damage is estimated at at least 25,000 euros. 85 percent of the almost 400 hectare area has now been built with around a million solar panels. According to the operator, the park's output would be enough to supply more than 70,000 residents with electricity.

On October 24th, 2020, unknown persons stole 48 inverters with a total value of more than five figures from a solar park in the district ofSchauenburg. The solar park is located on Autobahn 44, near the L3220 betweenSchauenburg-Breitenbach and Habichtswald-Ehlen. According to current information, the unknown perpetrators cut through the fence and then dismantled and stole the inverters. The material damage caused by their actions amounts to around 10,000 euros.

Previously unknown perpetrators gained unauthorized access to a solar park on Kastanienstraße between October 8th and 9th, 2020. The thieves damaged several fence panels and stole a large number of inverters.

Around September 24th, 2020, 434 solar modules worth around 80,000 euros were stolen. The unknown perpetrators broke down the gate of the solar park in the municipality of Liebschützberg.

High damage caused by theft in the solar park on September 23rd, 2020. Thieves made six-figure loot from two open-air photovoltaic systems on the A70 motorway. A total of 24 control cabinets with inverters were stolen. The thieves cut arm-thick cables with a power cutter in order to dismantle and transport the electrical components. To transport the control cabinets, which each weigh 150 kilograms, the thieves used a larger van or small truck with twin tires on the rear axle.

On the night of Friday, August 21st, 2020, previously unknown perpetrators gained access to the Haßloch solar park site by forcibly opening a wire mesh fence. The park was undergoing structural expansion at the time, which is why an extensive inventory check of the items stored there was required.

On July 21, 2020, thieves stole electrical parts from a solar park in the Regensburg district and caused a lot of damage. According to the police, they stole material worth a mid-six-figure euro amount.

In the period from March 5th to 6th, 2020, unknown perpetrators stole a total of 92 solar elements with a total value of approximately 13,000 euros from the site of a solar park near Ramelow near Friedland. According to current findings, previously unknown perpetrators forcibly opened the fence and gained access to the area. They stole a total of 92 solar modules. Another ten solar modules have already been stacked against the fence by the perpetrators for removal. No inverters were stolen.

Around February 14, 2020, a large number of Huawei brand inverters were stolen from the site of a solar park in Möhnesee-Büecke.

In the early morning hours of January 8th, 2020, a total of 40 inverters with a total value of approximately 140,000 euros were stolen from a solar park in Friedland. The solar park is located on the extension of Bauersheimer Weg in front of the junction with the L28 next to the shooting range there.