Sunelectrics – Solar Plant

Sunelectrics, a nationally operating Italian company specialising in development, EPC contracting, and O&M services in the photovoltaic sector, has partnered with Hanwha Vision Europe to enhance perimeter protection for a solar plant as part of a broader revamping initiative.

Located in the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, the site spans nearly 3 hectares and delivers 1 MWp of power. The security upgrade leveraged Hanwha Vision’s latest range of thermal cameras equipped with onboard artificial intelligence, ensuring advanced detection capabilities.

This solution was specifically designed to address the challenges of a remote installation, vulnerable to theft and vandalism. It enables continuous and effective surveillance of high-value photovoltaic infrastructure, safeguarding operational continuity and investment.

System Components

The video surveillance system features state-of-the-art thermal cameras equipped with AI-powered analytics algorithms. These cameras are seamlessly integrated with a high-performance Network Video Recorder (NVR), designed to handle high bandwidth, large storage capacity, and high frame rates—ensuring smooth, detailed recording of every relevant event.

For centralized alarm management and real-time monitoring, the system is supported by a robust Video Management System (VMS). This software enables efficient event reception and handling from the control room, providing operators with the tools to quickly identify, verify, and respond to potential threats through an intuitive interface—ensuring reliable and proactive site protection.

Features and Benefits of Thermal Cameras

Thermal cameras were selected for their ability to provide round-the-clock monitoring and maintain reliable performance in extreme environmental conditions, including heavy rain, dense fog, and complete darkness. Unlike conventional cameras, which can suffer performance degradation under adverse weather, thermal imaging is unaffected by climatic variations, ensuring consistent surveillance in even the most challenging settings.

The AI-powered analytics integrated into the cameras enable precise detection of intrusion attempts or suspicious activity within the site perimeter. These algorithms intelligently filter out false alarms—commonly triggered by animals or environmental factors—and generate real-time alerts only when genuinely abnormal behavior is detected. This greatly reduces the need for manual intervention while accelerating response times to critical events.

Another key advantage of thermal cameras is their ability to monitor long distances, allowing large areas to be covered with fewer devices. This translates into significant cost savings, reducing not only the number of cameras required but also the associated infrastructure such as poles, cabling, connectivity, and power supply points.

Proactive Approach to Security

The primary objective of the system is to enable rapid and accurate responses to intrusion attempts. Leveraging advanced detection technologies and seamless integration between thermal cameras, Network Video Recorder (NVR), and Video Management System (VMS), the solution empowers security personnel to respond swiftly—minimizing reaction times and reducing the risk of damage or loss.

This makes the system particularly well-suited for remote or isolated locations, such as the site in question, where traditional on-site security resources are limited. In such contexts, automated detection and centralized event management become essential to maintaining a high level of protection with operational efficiency.

Conclusions

The adoption of this advanced video surveillance system has enabled reliable and uninterrupted protection of the photovoltaic site, safeguarding both the investment in renewable energy and the integrity of the site’s physical and infrastructural assets.