Solar Cable Theft Gang Steals Over 200 Million Yen

The picture shows the grim scene of solar cables being stolen. You can see the cut-up conduit and the damaged converter.

“I’ve had my electrical cables stolen twice in a few months… I really need something to be done about it.”

Yoshida Aiichiro, who runs a solar power business in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, expresses his frustration and describes his difficult situation. 

The first theft occurred in April this year. Approximately 50 meters of electrical cables were stolen from Yoshida’s solar power facility.

“The solar panels and power conditioners are connected with cables inside plastic conduits. The thieves who broke in during the night cut the conduits with a cutter and pulled out about 50 meters of cable.”

After the first theft, Yoshida replaced the stolen cables and improved security measures to prevent future thefts. However, in July, the facility was targeted again.

“I sprayed urethane inside the conduits to make it harder for the cables to be pulled out. But the thieves cut through various parts of the conduits and pulled out the cables again. We can’t sell power until repairs are completed, and the damage amounts to several million yen. With cable thefts increasing nationwide, our insurance company will likely refuse to renew our policy. If this situation continues, the business won’t be viable.” (Yoshida)

For thieves, it’s a goldmine. 

Thieves target electrical cables because they contain copper. When sold at scrap yards, copper can fetch between 1,000 to 1,200 yen per meter, depending on the thickness. Some thieves steal nearly 1,000 meters of cable, resulting in over a million yen in scrap value. There are 31 prefectures without regulations requiring identity verification for buyers, making solar power facilities a goldmine for thieves.

According to the National Police Agency, the number of reported metal thefts involving copper in 2023 was about 16,000 cases, a 60% increase from the previous year.

“The number of solar power facility thefts has surged in recent years, and this year is already on pace to surpass last year’s total. Many of these crimes involve foreign groups; for example, a Cambodian group was arrested last year by the Ibaraki Prefectural Police for about 80 thefts. The total damage from the cables and other items they stole amounts to 270 million yen.” (Reporter from a national newspaper’s social affairs department)

According to another solar power operator who was affected, thieves often wear hats or masks to hide their faces, making security cameras less effective. Solar power facilities are often located in remote areas, which allows thieves to operate without drawing attention. While there are alarm-equipped motion sensors available as a security measure, their high cost often in the hundreds of thousands of yen makes them a difficult investment for many operators. 

Yoshida, who has been struggling with these issues, expressed his frustration.

“The perpetrators are hard to catch, and thefts keep increasing. To prevent further thefts, we need to use metal conduits that can’t be easily removed and organize local watch groups for constant patrols.”

If drastic measures to improve theft prevention are not implemented soon, the spread of renewable energy could face significant setbacks.