Last updated: 30 July 2026
An expansive solar park, surrounded by meadows, far from the hustle and bustle of civilisation. During the day, the park captures sunbeams and converts them into energy, but at night it turns into a silent, deserted place. This is an ideal situation for criminals. Solar farms are increasingly becoming targets for theft.. Which is understandable, as valuable materials are present. Copper in particular is sought after due to its high market price. Securing solar panels against theft is therefore essential.
At a solar park in Deurne, a staggering 100 kilometres of copper cable was stolen. Not only the materials are gone, but the entire park is at a standstill. Repairs will take weeks, and in the meantime, the solar park will largely be inactive. This will result in damages amounting to hundreds of thousands.
You see it more and more in the news: theft at solar farms. From 2022, more and more criminals started targeting these sites. They took valuable components such as solar panels, cables and inverters. Copper cables in particular are sought after because of their high market value.
Solar farms are attractive to criminals because they are often located in remote areas. This way, local residents are least disturbed. However, this also has a flip side: without good security, thieves can strike with impunity. In 2022, there were even solar farms without security cameras that were insured.
Even now, there are still parks that are only secured with a fence, or even have no fencing at all. This makes it all the more important to focus on securing solar panels against theft.
A large solar farm that normally supplies thousands of households with renewable energy is suddenly at a standstill. Not because of a malfunction, but because of theft. This has major consequences.
The damage caused by thieves is enormous. Copper cables are pulled out of the ground and solar panels are carelessly disconnected. To repair this often takes months. Not only the cost of repairs is high, but especially the time a solar farm is down causes high costs.
When materials are stolen for large quantities, a solar farm comes to a standstill for the most part. Without cables or inverters, a solar panel cannot provide energy. So energy production comes to a standstill, sometimes leading to damages amounting to hundreds of thousands of euros.
It’s not about isolated incidents. Security company BauWatch estimated the total damage from copper theft at solar parks and construction sites at around €250 million, largely due to indirect damage such as lost energy yields (BNR, 2024).
Insurer Solarif reported weekly thefts, with average damage amounts between one hundred and two hundred thousand euros per incident (Change Inc., 2025). For a stationary park, the loss of earnings on top of this can amount to around ten thousand euros per day (Verbond van Verzekeraars). With more than five hundred solar parks in the Netherlands, the number of targets is also steadily growing.
Securing solar panels against theft is essential to prevent damage and losses. Moreover, it is also a requirement of insurers these days. Below we list measures you can use to protect a solar farm safer.
Nowadays, camera surveillance is a requirement from insurers. Modern cameras with motion sensors send an immediate alarm notification when suspicious activity is detected. Thanks to night vision and the latest recognition technology, false alarms are kept to a minimum. For example, the camera can distinguish between a bird landing on the fence and an actual threat.
A fence around the property is a good start, but access control makes it even more secure. Consider working with drips, electric gates and secure access points with codes. This ensures that only authorised people can enter the premises.
One option is to install an additional security cable along the electrical wires that will sound an alarm if a cable is cut. It is also possible to secure the fencing. When someone cuts the fencing, an alarm goes off and/or bright lights jump on. This helps well in securing solar panels against theft.
Lights with motion sensors have a deterrent effect, especially in remote places where it is normally always dark. Thieves do not feel at ease when a bright light suddenly shines on them. Combine lights with an alarm or siren and criminals are quickly fled.
A security system is most effective when it is linked to an alarm centre. Professionals receive notifications when something suspicious is detected and this allows them to take immediate action. This ensures a quick response and increases the chances of thieves being caught in the act.
Soldefence's solutions, such as 24/7 camera surveillance and smart access control, help detect and prevent unwanted situations early on. Moreover, good security is now a requirement of insurers. Just a fence around the park is no longer enough.
By investing in professional security measures, you comply with all conditions and avoid problems in case of damage claims. And most importantly, you know that your solar farm will be properly secured.
Do you have questions about securing solar panels against theft? Bart will be happy to tell you more about our approach and the solar parks we have already successfully secured. Feel free to get in touch!
Yes, many insurers make security a requirement to qualify for coverage in case of damage or theft. Having a solid security system helps you meet these requirements.
Costs depend on the size of the solar farm, the technology chosen and the maintenance required. For an accurate estimate, it is best to request a quote.
In case of suspicious activity, the security system immediately sends a notification to a control room or the owner. This allows quick action to be taken, such as calling in security personnel or the police.
Sources:
Change Inc. (2025, 21 May). Copper theft at solar parks: tonnes of damage and months without solar power. https://www.change.inc/energie/koperdiefstal-op-zonneparken-tonnen-schade-en-maanden-geen-zonnestroom-40043
BNR Nieuwsradio. (2024, 3 May). Copper theft from solar parks: ‘Indirect costs are a major problem’. https://www.bnr.nl/nieuws/bouw-infrastructuur/10546386/koperdiefstal-zonneparken-indirecte-kosten-zijn-een-groot-probleem
Association of Insurers. (n.d.). 5 questions about copper theft. https://www.verzekeraars.nl/publicaties/actueel/5-vragen-over-koperdiefstal
ANP. (2023, 7 June). Increasingly frequent copper theft at solar parks: ‘Damage and costs are enormous’. Heart of the Netherlands. https://www.hartvannederland.nl/112/artikelen/steeds-vaker-diefstal-koper-zonneparken
NOS News. (2023, 7 June). Car parks with solar panels are increasingly targets for copper thieves. No. https://nos.nl/artikel/2478037-parken-met-zonnepanelen-vaker-doelwit-van-koperdieven
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