Case Study: Multiple, UK, Solar Farm site – CCTV, Intruder Detection & Perimeter Protection

Location: Rural UK (confidential site)
Contract Value: £500,000
Scope: Design, supply, installation, and commissioning of CCTV, thermal imaging, perimeter detection, and remote monitoring across a large-scale solar farm site

Scope of the Contract

Design and implementation of a complete perimeter protection solution, including:

CCTV cameras and thermal imaging

Infrared night vision and pole-mounted systems

Intruder detection and analytics

Fibre-optic cabling infrastructure

Remote monitoring via secure control center

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

24/7/365 alarm response support

Overview

Firesand was appointed to design, supply, and deliver a comprehensive perimeter protection and remote monitoring solution for a large scale renewable energy development company with multiple site across the UK, this contract was for 3 sites in remote rural locations, Wales, United Kingdom. With rising incidents of theft and vandalism targeting solar farms, the client required a high-performance, low-false-alarm system capable of operating in harsh conditions and without constant on-site supervision.

The primary objectives were clear: protect valuable infrastructure, minimise false alarms, deliver high-quality imaging, and enable off-site monitoring through a reliable, secure platform, all while overcoming the environmental and logistical constraints typical of solar installations.

Delivery

Firesand successfully deployed a full security solution designed specifically for solar farm environments. The system comprised high-definition CCTV cameras, thermal imaging cameras for to cover long distance and enhance night-time detection, infrared lamps for enhanced low-light coverage, and Xtralis ADPRO FastTrace NVR, all integrated into alarm inputs, with a fibre-optic network infrastructure covering, enabling full perimeter coverage, with considerable cabling cost saving.

Due to the remote and expansive nature of the sites, over 180,000 metres of cable were installed. for the backbone Fibre was selected over traditional cabling to ensure future-proof data transmission and minimal signal degradation across large distances. bespoke Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) was also installed at each location to safeguard system performance during power loss or surges associated with PV equipment re-energisation.

Installation was carried out across challenging farmland terrain, including difficult weather and ground conditions. Firesand adapted by utilising specialist off-road transport, including Land Rover Defenders and quad bikes, to maintain pace without damaging the site or equipment.

Project Challenges & Solutions

Solar farms present unique security and engineering challenges: they are typically isolated, exposed to the elements, and difficult to access, creating ideal conditions for intrusions and logistical hurdles during installation.

To address this, Firesand’s solution incorporated remote monitoring with smart alarm filtering, ensuring only verified threats trigger responses, reducing false alarms and unnecessary callouts. This was backed by 24/7/365 monitoring, enabling rapid escalation to response teams when needed.

A further challenge emerged during commissioning when a manufacturing defect was identified in the coating of specific camera units. Firesand acted swiftly, collaborating with the manufacturer and client to source alternative stock and avoid delays to the installation programme, ensuring the project remained on schedule and within budget.

Resources

Firesand deployed specialist teams of six engineers to these projects, supported by a dedicated Contract Manager overseeing all stages, from client coordination to delivery, compliance, and reporting. On-site management ensured works remained aligned with critical project milestones, particularly those linked to renewable energy tariff deadlines.

Benefits

Full perimeter coverage with thermal and HD surveillance

Smart intruder detection with minimal false alarms

24/7 remote monitoring and response

Reliable performance in off-grid and rural conditions

UPS backup and surge protection

Future-proofed with fibre connectivity

Delivered safely, on time, and within budget