Securing a Remote Farm with Solar-Powered CCTV

Think Smart Security Limited proudly provides customers with quality service and installation in the West Yorkshire area.

Overview

Project Overview

A farm owner in Barnsley approached us with a unique set of security challenges. Her barn, housing horses and sheep, sat across the road from her home with no mains electricity or internet connection available on site. Compounding this, ongoing disputes with neighbours had resulted in acts of vandalism, making reliable, round-the-clock security not just a priority, but a necessity.

Project complication

The Challenge: Protecting a Rural Farm from Crime and Vandalism

Our customer, a farm owner in Barnsley, faced significant security challenges due to the remote location of her property. Her farm, consisting of a barn housing horses and sheep, was located across the road from her home, with no direct access to electricity or an internet connection. Additionally, she had ongoing issues with neighbours who opposed her land purchase, leading to acts of vandalism such as spraying weed killer on her land and letting a dog loose near her animals.

Security was a top priority for her, especially as rural crime is a growing concern across the UK. In 2023 alone, rural crime cost an estimated £52.8 million, marking a 4.3% increase from the previous year. Theft of farm equipment, livestock, and GPS devices surged, with GPS thefts rising by 137% to £4.2 million. Livestock thefts remained high at £2.7 million, and dog attacks on livestock increased by nearly 30% to £2.4 million. These statistics highlight the urgent need for effective security solutions in rural areas.

Offered assistance

The Solution: Wireless, Solar-Powered CCTV System

To provide comprehensive security without relying on traditional power or internet connections, we designed and installed a solar-powered CCTV system with wireless connectivity. This included:

Solar Panels & Battery Storage: To ensure 24/7 operation, we installed solar panels on the barn, paired with a solar controller and leisure batteries to store power efficiently.
PoE Network & WiFi Bridge: A network switch with PoE injectors powered the cameras, while a WiFi bridge transmitted footage across the road to the customer’s home, where the recorder was located.
High-Definition CCTV Cameras: The system initially consisted of four HD IP cameras, later expanding to six for enhanced coverage. The cameras were equipped with motion detection and tripwire alerts to notify the customer of any intrusions.

Other complications

Overcoming Challenges: Weather, Vandalism & Reliability

The installation took place in winter under extreme conditions, including icy temperatures, strong winds, and uneven terrain, making it challenging to install the large solar panels safely. We mitigated risks by using scaffolding and proper safety gear.

Despite these precautions, the system faced an unexpected challenge: deliberate vandalism. A neighbor shot the WiFi transmitter with an airgun, cutting off the connection between the barn cameras and the recorder in the house. The customer received an alert while she was on holiday in New York, but as the cameras were offline, no further footage was recorded.

To prevent future disruptions, we added a hidden recorder inside the barn to ensure local footage storage, even if the connection was lost. Additionally, advancements in camera technology since the original installation mean that modern IP cameras now come with SD card slots, allowing for limited on-camera backup storage, a feature we now implement as standard.

Project outcomes

Why This Solution Was Ideal

Other security companies had suggested using GSM-based cameras, which would require monthly data costs. Our WiFi bridge solution eliminated ongoing fees while providing a scalable, future-proof security system. Additionally, the customer had received a quote of over £19,000 to install electrical lines from the National Grid, making solar power the most viable and cost-effective solution.

Influence

The Impact: Peace of Mind & Future Security Enhancements

The customer was delighted with the solution, as it provided her with real-time notifications and reliable security. Unlike traditional systems that rely on power grids, our installation ensured she could monitor her property remotely without interruption.

Looking ahead, we recognize that perimeter security is crucial for farms. Future installations could include thermal cameras, capable of detecting movement up to 2 kilometers away, providing early warnings of potential threats such as intruders or wildlife approaching livestock.

Summary

Protect Your Rural Property Today

If you own a farm or rural property and need a robust, off-grid security solution, get in touch with us today. Whether it’s solar-powered CCTV, wireless connectivity, or perimeter protection, we have the expertise to tailor a system to your needs, without hidden costs or unnecessary subscriptions.

Let’s make your property safer, smarter, and more secure.

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