In mid-February, an unusual break-in occurred at a former market garden in the Lower Rhine region. The perpetrators forced their way into the rooms, but did not make any loot there. Rather, they had their sights set on the photovoltaic system mounted on the greenhouses and stole all the cabling between the inverters and PV modules. A total of around 4 kilometers of double-sheathed copper cable was stolen. The theft led to a complete failure of the 2.2-megawatt PV system. The property damage alone amounts to a six-figure sum, and the loss of earnings cannot yet be quantified, as the repair work is very labor- and time-intensive.
It is assumed that the perpetrators had tried in vain to switch off the main power supply. The break-in as well as the cutting and transportation of the stolen cables must have taken some time. The perpetrators apparently felt safe. Although the company premises and buildings were well secured, the perpetrators were able to operate undisturbed during the night. What could help against this?
Herbert Janßen, risk consultant at Gartenbau-Versicherung, advises alarm systems that startle the perpetrators with bright lights and acoustic signals. "You can never be completely safe from break-ins, especially since horticultural businesses are often located outside residential areas and are therefore relatively unmonitored. This makes insurance protection all the more important." In addition, Gartenbau-Versicherung is also happy to advise its member companies on protection against burglary and theft.
© Gartenbau-VersicherungIn mid-February, around four kilometers of copper cable were stolen from the PV system at a former horticultural company. This resulted in property damage in the six-figure range.
Photo credit: Gartenbau-Versicherung
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