Securing a solar farm starts with the basics. At Soldefence, we often talk about camera surveillance, smart detection and AI technology (that's our business now), but physical security is at least as important. Indeed, taking construction measures is often the first step in building a solar farm.
Even during the design phase, choices need to be made that contribute to site safety. Consider fencing, entrance gates, lighting and site layout. This is important not only to ward off intruders but also for the insurability of the park.
When you think of physical security, you immediately think of a sturdy fence. Rightly so, but it goes beyond that. It includes entrance gates, lighting, site paving and the way vegetation is maintained. Anything that literally closes off the site or makes it more difficult to access falls under physical security.
The visibility of these measures plays a major role. A well-secured site has a deterrent effect. It exudes control and alertness. This preventive effect is at least as important as actually stopping an intruder.
Physical measures for solar parks are included in the Guide to security measures for ground-mounted PV installations from the Insurers' Association. This guide contains concrete guidelines that solar parks should ideally meet.
Among other things, it recommends:
So it all starts with physical security. Below, we explain some of the measures that ensure security, especially when combined with smart detection and camera surveillance.
A sturdy fence around the site is often the first step. It literally and figuratively creates a barrier. It is important that the fencing is high enough and has overclimb protection.
But a fence alone won't get you there. Combining the fence with smart detection systems, such as cut protection or touch sensors, sends an instant notification when the fence is touched. This gives it a double effect: it acts as a deterrent and a signalling device.
Every solar farm has an entrance with a gate. This access point can be a weak point unless the right measures are taken. With electronic access control, you ensure that only authorised people can enter the site.
By linking the electronic access system to a logbook, you always know who is in, and when.
Solar parks are often located in rural areas, along highways or in the middle of the polder. These sites are often surrounded by greenery. In some cases, natural separation offers an alternative to fencing. Consider, for example, a ditch or tall planting with spikes.
Yet vegetation also requires active management. This is because it is important to maintain clear sightlines between the PV installations and cameras.
Did you know that our cameras do not notify when sheep are grazing? Ideal as natural mowers and 100% compatible with our smart detection.
Many solar parks are remote. This is more socially accepted; not many people want a solar farm in their backyard. But this also means that little lighting is present. This sometimes makes it difficult for remote security guards to judge whether anything suspicious is actually happening.
Adding lighting with motion sensors not only increases visibility but also deters unwanted visitors.
These days, an effective security plan consists of more than just sturdy fencing. Physical security forms the architectural basis, but without electronic security, detection, visibility and follow-up are lacking.
The Insurance Association's handbook states that the site should have at least two different detection methods. Consider fencing detection and earthwork detection. In addition, a Video Surveillance System is also a good solution.
By combining both electronic and physical security, you avoid blind spots, minimise the risk of copper theft and you maintain full control.
No two solar parks are the same. The location, size and infrastructure vary from site to site. And this requires customisation. Soldefence specialises in asset protection with maximum security and as few false alarms as possible.
We always start with an on-site risk analysis: where are vulnerable areas, how is the site structured and how much area needs to be secured? Based on this, we advise on security. We combine advanced cameras with smart detection software, specially developed to accurately recognise movements and false alarms almost entirely preventable.
We align everything perfectly with existing systems, such as physical security, and create a reliable overall picture, fully compliant with insurers' requirements. Feel free to contact us for more information.
There is no law requiring physical security, but insurers do have guidelines. Among other things, the Insurers' Association recommends fencing of at least 1.80 metres with overclimb protection. To keep the park insurable, it is good to comply with these guidelines.
Minimum 1.80 metres with climb protection.
That depends on the size, layout and location of the park. Thanks to our smart software and strategic placement, fewer cameras are often needed than with other parties, without compromising on visibility, of course.
Sources:
Association of Insurers. (2024). Handreiking Beveiligingsmaatregelen voor grondgebonden PV-installaties. In Association of Insurers HBg PVi Version 2025. Find the handbook here.
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