Best practices for securing your solar power installation

Solar power installations are rising in popularity among homeowners and businesses across the UK. In the next couple of years, solar panels will be mandatory on all new-build homes in England.

Both economic and logistical factors contribute to their increasing adoption, including lower energy bills, the creation of sustainable spaces and reduced maintenance needs. However, security around solar power installations has become a growing concern, given their increasing value to society.

Unsecured systems are vulnerable to theft, vandalism and damage in some scenarios. Securing and protecting solar power installations will become increasingly significant as more of them appear on properties across the country.

Why is solar power installation security important?

Solar power installations have become high-value assets, making them targets for thieves and vandals. Because they have also become a critical part of energy infrastructure, they are now a focus of potential saboteurs looking to cause disruption.

The rising concerns about theft, vandalism, damage and intrusion have made solar power security more essential. Without adequate protection, homes and businesses risk financial losses and power disruptions that could have profound implications.

What are the challenges of securing solar power installations?

There are a growing number of challenges in securing solar power installations. As their technology and installation methods evolve, so do the areas of concern regarding the protection of these valuable assets.

Here are some of the primary challenges that home and business owners face when protecting solar power installations.

• Solar panel installations can be large areas to oversee
• Thieves can steal essential high-value system parts like panels and wiring
• Installations can face maintenance issues resulting in downtime
• Extreme weather can disrupt operations
• Intruders can sabotage equipment and interfere with the power supply

5 best practices for securing your solar power installation

Despite the challenges of securing solar power installations, there are practices to help better protect your systems.

1. Install a security camera system

Setting up a security camera network is one of the most critical practices for securing your solar power installations. They can provide a more comprehensive visual oversight of your equipment and enhance protection with the benefits of internet protocol (IP) camera technology.

IP cameras are among the most effective tools for protecting your installations. They feature remote accessibility and real-time communication to help ensure there's always a watch on your solar equipment.

Many cameras now also include AI-assisted video analytics to help constantly improve security around installations. Some even offer advanced features, such as thermal mapping and enhanced zoom, enabling users to review maintenance requirements.

Ultimately, installing a camera system is one of the best practices for protecting installations. Setup can lay the groundwork for more robust security around your solar equipment.

2. Place motion-activated lights in critical areas

After setting up protocols for detection, deterrence is the next most important practice in securing your solar panel installations. Lighting around your equipment can be an effective deterrent in keeping intruders away from critical areas.

Place motion-activated lights in strategic areas such as access points and vulnerable equipment to help deter intrusions. They'll activate when anyone enters the security zone and highlight activity to dissuade trespassers from approaching your solar equipment.

You can pair the lights with cameras to enhance the effectiveness of your security system, particularly nighttime protection.

3. Erect fencing around the perimeter

Erecting fences around your solar installations is one of the best practices to indicate that the area is off-limits to everyone but authorised personnel. Fencing is a combination of prevention and deterrence, serving as a first line of defence against potential intruders.

There are several options for installing fences around the perimeter, including anti-climb and electric options. Some advanced fences also include motion detection to trigger alerts if somebody attempts to climb or break them.

Again, erecting fences can work together with existing security equipment to add another layer of protection to your solar installations.

4. Setup intrusion detection

The constantly evolving internet of things (IoT) technologies enable intrusion detection to integrate more easily with existing components of a security system. Sensors like infrared and sound can enhance the protection of your solar installation.

Many intrusion detection systems feature real-time notifications of activity, meaning less need for constant human supervision. They can be essential components of your overall security system, helping to defend your high-value solar installations against theft or damage.

5. Enable access control

Finally, knowing who has access to your solar installations is one of the best practices for securing the area. Not only do they help prevent unauthorised access, but they can also improve accountability and visibility when overseeing the equipment.

Access control systems can help minimise threats and restrict entry to trusted persons. They enable the remote granting or revoking of access, as well as providing real-time activity logs to oversee movements around the solar installations.

Secure your solar power installation for the future

Securing your solar power installation can yield longer-term benefits, including minimising disruptions and financial losses. Adopting the best practices can help you proactively protect your systems and ensure sustainable energy remains the infrastructure of the future.