Who’s Minding the Plant?

October 09, 2015

Solar Site Security:  O&M providers differ on the importance of providing site security for PV facilities.

Article originally appeared in Solar Industry Magazine.

The operations and maintenance (O&M) services market for the solar sector is growing along with the boom in installed capacity. The lucrative field, with its promise of recurring revenue streams, is attracting solar developers and builders, as well as contractors from a variety of industries.

O&M providers must consider the role of site security for the plants they manage. Photovoltaic plants operate largely unattended. Jason Case, director of O&M for New York-based EnterSolar, says PV solar plants present a unique challenge with regard to site security compared to other types of facilities. For example, perimeter security is the primary focus for ground-mounted arrays. However, this may not apply to many roof-mounted systems where the building itself conceals much of the system and provides a level of security. Also, systems on commercial properties may be less vulnerable than other system types because the commercial hosts have an existing security plan in place for their facilities, which helps prevent security breaches involving the PV system.

O&M providers must consider the role of site security for the plants they manage. Photovoltaic plants operate largely unattended. Jason Case, director of O&M for New York-based EnterSolar, says PV solar plants present a unique challenge with regard to site security compared to other types of facilities. For example, perimeter security is the primary focus for ground-mounted arrays. However, this may not apply to many roof-mounted systems where the building itself conceals much of the system and provides a level of security. Also, systems on commercial properties may be less vulnerable than other system types because the commercial hosts have an existing security plan in place for their facilities, which helps prevent security breaches involving the PV system.

“Ground-mounted solar plants are often in isolated locations and can span large areas,” Case says. “The fact that they are mostly unattended forces O&M providers and asset managers to rely on remote supervision, which can be challenging. As a result, it is imperative that cost-effective deterrence measures on the site are used in order to minimize potential risks.”

Solar Site SecuritySecurity at a cost

The isolation of many solar sites is one reason they may be perceived as vulnerable. Laks M. Sampath, country manager of U.S. and Latin America for global O&M provider Alectris in San Francisco, says utility-scale plants, in particular, pose a security challenge because of their locations. The components of a PV plant may be seen as ripe for the picking.

The isolation of many solar sites is one reason they may be perceived as vulnerable. Laks M. Sampath, country manager of U.S. and Latin America for global O&M provider Alectris in San Francisco, says utility-scale plants, in particular, pose a security challenge because of their locations. The components of a PV plant may be seen as ripe for the picking.

“Back when solar module prices were high, module theft was common because they were easy to remove,” Sampath says. “Wiring and DC component thefts keep pace with the rise and fall of copper prices. Inverters are the least likely solar components to be stolen.”

The theft problem, at least with regard to solar panels, has eased with the decline in prices and the development of more secure mounting systems.

For full article please see Solar Industry Magazine.