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Brazen theft: 80 kilometers of copper cable stolen from the PV system!
In the Ansbach district, a photovoltaic system was the target of brazen thieves who stole 80 km of copper cable worth 70,000 euros.
Brazen theft: 80 kilometers of copper cable stolen from the PV system!
On the night of Monday, November 10, 2025, the open-space photovoltaic system in Trachenhöfstätt near Heilsbronn experienced a brazen attack. Unknown perpetrators broke into the fenced area and stole over 80,000 meters of copper cable, the value of which is estimated at around 70,000 euros. The Ansbach criminal police have started the investigation and are asking the public for help. Witnesses can call (0911) 2112-3333 if they have made any suspicious observations.
With a total of 29,008 solar modules installed, the system is an important part of the region's energy supply and plays a major role in the global movement towards sustainable energy sources. Photovoltaics (PV) has experienced an enormous boom not only in Germany but also worldwide in recent years. As Wikipedia shows, photovoltaic systems are now preferably used on roofs and open spaces to generate electricity, with the installed capacity expected to reach around 2.2 terawatts worldwide by the end of 2024.
The dark side of solar energy
Unfortunately, the increase in photovoltaic systems is also associated with an increase in thefts. According to PV-Mounting, there have been over 5,000 major PV thefts in Europe in the last two years, with Germany as one of the most frequently affected countries. Every year the authorities count more than 400 such offenses, while the amount of damage often runs into the tens of thousands.
The main reasons for this increase are increasing energy consumption and the ongoing cost of living crisis. In southern Italy, for example, thefts are ten times higher than the European average. The incentive for the perpetrators is high because copper is a valuable raw material in photovoltaic technology and prices have recently experienced a steep increase. Organized crime has targeted these facilities because they offer high profits with relatively low risk.
Measures against PV theft
The situation requires urgent preventive measures. Security companies and the police in Great Britain have already taken the first steps to prevent the theft of PV systems. At the same time, a decline in consumer interest in photovoltaic systems could jeopardize the energy transition if countermeasures are not taken in time.
Installed PV capacity is expected to increase to around 10 terawatts by 2030, further underscoring the importance of photovoltaics in global electricity supply. In view of these developments, it is essential to increase safety standards for photovoltaic systems and inform potential buyers about the risks in order to give them a good feeling when investing in renewable energies.
Photovoltaics is not only a clean, but also an increasingly cost-effective way of generating energy. The energy transition in Germany and Europe depends crucially on the further development of this technology and the protection of its infrastructure.