Solar Farm Cable Thefts
Discussion
ds weighing it in and taking the money, it is the most corrupt industry in the countryWork in the industry and this isn't new.
Known several sites hit multiple times. It is a right PITA to fix as they make a right mess ripping everything out.
A lot of the cabling through is aluminium not copper. Sites once operational are generally unmanned with only CCTV (and not a 5 minute blue light response...). It would be terrible if one of the thieves got electrocuted in the process as any time it isn't dark, much of the cabling will be live even if you turn off the inverter.
Panels used to be stolen more frequently but seems less so now as the prices have come down.
Highest risk is during construction when you have big drums of cable sat around waiting install. Had one site with 30 pallets of panels stolen. That's a lorry load, not just a transit - security guard 'didnt see anything' apparently....
Known several sites hit multiple times. It is a right PITA to fix as they make a right mess ripping everything out.
A lot of the cabling through is aluminium not copper. Sites once operational are generally unmanned with only CCTV (and not a 5 minute blue light response...). It would be terrible if one of the thieves got electrocuted in the process as any time it isn't dark, much of the cabling will be live even if you turn off the inverter.
Panels used to be stolen more frequently but seems less so now as the prices have come down.
Highest risk is during construction when you have big drums of cable sat around waiting install. Had one site with 30 pallets of panels stolen. That's a lorry load, not just a transit - security guard 'didnt see anything' apparently....
Edited by gazapc on Monday 23 March 22:16
I’m a Crime Analyst - this is the sort of bread and butter issue we train to get on top of.
But - and (importantly) without any personal knowledge - I suspect that it just isn’t resourced. Think squeezing the toothpaste tube of the Royal Navy to get one ship to the Mediterranean. (I’m covering four or so jobs).
Austerity has gone sooooo well!
But - and (importantly) without any personal knowledge - I suspect that it just isn’t resourced. Think squeezing the toothpaste tube of the Royal Navy to get one ship to the Mediterranean. (I’m covering four or so jobs).
Austerity has gone sooooo well!
tele_lover said:
glazbagun said:
Class it as terrorism & jail everyone caught for 30 years on some uninhabited island in the Hebrides.
It is terrorism, its critical infrastructure.I'd do same for those stealing railway cabling.
Some more lowlife
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg3vwv1x4po
lawyers for the men said they had come to the UK for a "better life".
https://gript.ie/serial-offender-stole-copper-from...
also has 7 children receiving benefits.
gazapc said:
Work in the industry and this isn't new.
Known several sites hit multiple times. It is a right PITA to fix as they make a right mess ripping everything out.
A lot of the cabling through is aluminium not copper. Sites once operational are generally unmanned with only CCTV (and not a 5 minute blue light response...). It would be terrible if one of the thieves got electrocuted in the process as any time it isn't dark, much of the cabling will be live even if you turn off the inverter.
Panels used to be stolen more frequently but seems less so now as the prices have come down.
Highest risk is during construction when you have big drums of cable sat around waiting install. Had one site with 30 pallets of panels stolen. That's a lorry load, not just a transit - security guard 'didnt see anything' apparently....
Maybe worth powering something (import) after dark to make sure it's live at all times!Known several sites hit multiple times. It is a right PITA to fix as they make a right mess ripping everything out.
A lot of the cabling through is aluminium not copper. Sites once operational are generally unmanned with only CCTV (and not a 5 minute blue light response...). It would be terrible if one of the thieves got electrocuted in the process as any time it isn't dark, much of the cabling will be live even if you turn off the inverter.
Panels used to be stolen more frequently but seems less so now as the prices have come down.
Highest risk is during construction when you have big drums of cable sat around waiting install. Had one site with 30 pallets of panels stolen. That's a lorry load, not just a transit - security guard 'didnt see anything' apparently....
Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff