A large solar farm in Almelo, near the German border in the Netherlands, recently faced a severe challenge: a highly coordinated theft of copper cables by organised criminals. This incident highlighted the growing threat facing renewable energy sites across Europe, where high-value metals and remote locations make solar farms prime targets. The loss of critical infrastructure exposed weaknesses in the site’s perimeter security and prompted immediate action to safeguard operations and assets.
The Operator’s Challenge
Like many solar farms, the Almelo site spans a vast, minimally staffed area, making traditional security measures such as fencing and standard CCTV insufficient. With copper thefts and associated losses rising sharply, UK reports show a 93% jump in solar-related crime from 2021 to 2022, site operators are under increasing pressure from both operational and insurance perspectives to fortify their defences.
Solar installations are uniquely vulnerable to theft and vandalism due to several factors:
- Remote and expansive locations: Solar farms often span hundreds of acres, with minimal staff presence, providing criminals ample opportunity to act undetected.
- High-value materials: Copper cabling, inverters, and batteries all carry strong resale value and are easier to transport and offload than large panels.
- Repeat target risk: Studies indicate that once a site is attacked, there’s a high likelihood of future targeting unless security is visibly improved.
Operators have reported incidents of cable thefts exceeding 50 kilometres in a single event and more than 5,000 major thefts annually across Europe, demonstrating the scale and persistence of the problem.
These trends underline the insufficiency of traditional passive measures such as fencing or standard CCTV alone, leading many insurers to raise premiums or condition coverage on enhanced security provisions.
Strategic Security Partnership
To address these vulnerabilities, the Almelo solar farm operator turned to their trusted security partner, Loogisch. Together with distributor SmartSD and technology leader OPTEX, they engineered a new, multi-layered perimeter security system. At the heart of this solution is the award-winning OPTEX REDSCAN LiDAR (RLS-50100V), selected for its precision, reliability, and long-range detection capabilities.
Why OPTEX REDSCAN?
REDSCAN LiDAR offers several key advantages:
- Extended Detection Range: Covers up to 50 × 100 metres with a single unit, protecting large open spaces efficiently.
- Flexible Zoning: Eight independent detection zones for tailored alarm logic and smart VMS integrations.
- All-Weather Reliability: Maintains high performance in rain, fog, and low light, unlike traditional sensors.
- Advanced Intruder Detection: Detects slow, low-profile intruders often missed by PIR or microwave sensors.
According to Frank Pikkemaat, Operational Manager at Loogisch, “The combination of long range and flexible zoning made REDSCAN the clear choice. One detector covered the entire field.”
Engineering a Robust Solution
The new perimeter system was meticulously designed to overcome site-specific challenges:
- Low Panel Mounting: Strategic positioning and precise angling avoids false alarms from interference, for example from birds perching on panel edges.
- Reflective Surfaces: Custom zone shaping countered issues from glare and panel reflections.
- Real-World Testing: The system was validated under operational conditions for maximum reliability.
OPTEX provided expert support with remote configuration, zone tuning, and ongoing performance optimisation, ensuring the system delivered as promised.
About the collaboration with OPTEX, Frank Pikkemaat, Operational Manager at Loogisch, said, “After the skilled help provided by OPTEX during the fine-tuning process, we were very content that the system performed exactly as we intended.”
- Zero Intrusions: No unauthorised entries since deployment.
- 90%+ Reduction in False Alarms: Dramatically fewer nuisance alerts, boosting operator confidence and efficiency.
- Enhanced Situational Awareness: Integration with Milestone VMS and Domox visualisation enables real-time monitoring and rapid event verification.
Low maintenance requirements and reliable performance reduce downtime risk and support long-term cooperation between the solar farm operator and their partner Loogisch. The positive outcomes demonstrate how advanced perimeter detection, especially LiDAR-based technology, can transform security outcomes for critical infrastructure.
Broader Impact: The Strategic Value of Advanced Perimeter Protection
The Almelo case is a benchmark for best practice in solar farm security. As theft and vandalism continue to threaten renewable energy infrastructure across Europe, advanced perimeter detection, especially LiDAR-based solutions, are proving essential for protecting assets, uptime, and future project viability. Operators who invest in layered, professionally designed security solutions not only deter crime but also secure insurance eligibility and safeguard their business continuity.
Results: Reclaimed operational confidence
The deployment of OPTEX REDSCAN at the Almelo solar farm has set a new standard for effective, reliable security in the renewable energy sector. With zero intrusions, a drastic reduction in false alarms, and improved operational confidence, this project demonstrates the strategic value of advanced perimeter protection for critical infrastructure.
