Panoramic, Infrared Protection for Solar Farms

                                     

Written by Katie Shea
http://www.novuslight.com/panoramic-infrared-protection-for-solar-farms_N2694.html

Over the past few years, the benefits of solar energy have been seen around the globe. According to the Energy Information Administration’s report from February, in 2013, there were 8.3 million megawatthours (MWh) of electricity generated by solar photovoltaic panels in the US alone. This is a drastic increase compared with the 3.5MWh generated in 2012.

While solar technology improves and production costs decrease, larger-scale solar plants are being constructed on vast and remote expanses of land that are often unmanned. Take for example, the world’s largest solar thermal power plant, the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System near Las Vegas, Nevada (US). It occupies approximately 5.5 square miles in the sparely populated California Mojave Desert. As more people rely on renewable energy sources, security measures to protect these valuable farms become a larger issue. Due to the large, flat areas occupied by solar farms, it is often very difficult to continuously monitor the valuable resources within their perimeter. There are also many potential risks that come into play for solar farms in these desert-like environments. While wild animals and the harshness of the surroundings top the list, a lack of proper lighting installations creates gravitation for theft, and vandalism to the area. 

As more people rely on renewable energy sources, security measures to protect these valuable farms become a larger issue.

In its most basic terms, infrared (IR) thermal technology detects temperature differences in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum and produces images of that radiation. This technology makes it possible to see your surroundings with or without visible light. Solar farms and other areas that need to be monitored at all times of the day are very well suited for this technology.  Together with the scope and characteristics of these areas, a long-range, wide area, thermal surveillance system that is able to detect movement and intrusions at long distances would provide a large and isolated area the 24/7 surveillance it would need.

Solar farms and other areas that need to be monitored at all times of the day are very well suited for infrared technology.

HGH Infrared Systems, based in Cambridge Massachusetts (US), offers a panoramic, long range thermal imaging system, called Spynel, which are mid- or long-wave IR sensor systems that are highly sensitive to thermal energy differences. The IR camera systems use advanced thermal imaging technology to monitor activities in a complete 360-degree field of view in near real-time. The ultra-wide, panoramic IR sensors automatically detect and track targets using complex algorithms.

Intelligent forensics

These high-resolution, 30-megapixel panoramic images can be taken in complete darkness and in adverse weather conditions (including extreme heat or cold). The technology operates as optical radars coupled with analytics and a data feed, which are used to quickly and effectively pinpoint targets in the most demanding environments and gather forensics intelligence for replay of any incident.

The Spynel-U (shown below) is an uncooled, long wave IR model that can detect a human at up to 2.5 km and a car at up to 4 km.  Combined with a software system called Cyclope, unlimited targets can be tracked and trigger alarms at certain distances. The Spynel solution needs only one sensor in a given area and can see the entire 360-degree panoramic surroundings over long distances.

The Spynel U Camera

Recently, more and more solar farms across the globe have recognized and used the benefits of protecting their costly equipment with the help of IR thermal technology. Two larger solar farms in South Africa and the French Alps have recently added infrared thermal technology to their perimeter protection using multiple sensors to view the massive farms. This technology is proving to be an effective measure for solar plants to use in the prevention of having expensive equipment stolen or damaged.

As renewable energy solutions gain momentum, large scale solar power plants are becoming more and more common and are occupying larger areas of land than in previous years. Using effective long range detection and surveillance devices such as these can protect equipment and ensure consistent delivery of service to customers. 

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