Overview
Ogier Electronics delivered a cost-effective, high-performance security solution for a 1 megawatt solar farm in Herefordshire. By deploying a single Scan-360 radar integrated with a 360 Vision Technology Predator PTZ camera, Ogier enabled complete site coverage, eliminating the need for multiple fixed CCTV cameras and complex infrastructure.
The solar farm was constructed by Vartec EPC on behalf of Lowther Renewables Ltd., part of AJ Lowther & Son, a steelwork fabricator based in Ross-on-Wye, committed to reducing its carbon footprint.
End client: Lowther Renewables Ltd
Partner: Vartec EPC
Ogier Electronics equipment: Scan-360 Radar + Predator PTZ Camera
The challenge
Lowther Renewables required full perimeter surveillance of the solar farm, an area typically demanding several conventional cameras. This would have meant extensive trenching, cabling, power distribution, and high operational costs.
Additionally, the layout of solar panels presented obscured lines of sight and visibility challenges, making it difficult for traditional systems to reliably detect intruders.
We achieved complete solar farm coverage using just one radar-camera unit, avoiding the complexity and cost of multiple surveillance systems.
Craig Vardy, Managing Director, Vartec EPC
The solution
Ogier Electronics provided a Scan-360 radar and Predator PTZ camera, co-located on a single pole, to deliver:
- 360° detection across the entire site
- Real-time camera tracking via radar’s “slew-to-cue” capability
- Streamlined installation with drastically reduced infrastructure
- All-weather, day/night human and vehicle detection
Installing the radar at height ensured unobstructed visibility above the solar arrays, greatly enhancing detection accuracy. Setup was quick and efficient using the radar’s built-in GPS and map interface, allowing installers to draw detection zones and calibrate the camera with a few clicks.
When intrusions are detected, alarms are sent through the NX Witness VMS to the Sentinel alarm platform, where operators at Doncaster Security Operations Centre (DSOC) receive both live video and map-based alerts. This enables instant visual verification and a faster, more informed response.
