Case Study: Las Positas College achieves night-time protection of its $4.7M solar field with Axis Communications thermal cameras

Las Positas College uses Axis thermal cameras and bright halogen lights to protect its $4.5 million renewable energy project

Las Positas College in Livermore, CA needed to protect a remote, unlit 5.3‑acre solar field valued at about $4.5 million from theft and vandalism after dark. The college, which had already standardized on Axis Communications products, sought a cost‑effective system that could detect intruders in total darkness — leading to the selection of Axis thermal cameras (AXIS Q1921) and other Axis IP cameras.

Axis Communications’ solution, deployed by partner Electronic Innovations and integrated with AMAG’s Symmetry system, mounted three AXIS Q1921 thermal network cameras on poles linked to 1,500‑watt halogen lights; camera motion triggers lights and sends alerts to Campus Safety. The Axis system detected roughly half a dozen fence‑hoppers within months, triggered rapid police/security response, drove off the intruders and prevented potential theft or damage to the 4,680‑panel, multi‑million‑dollar installation.

Las Positas College

Sean Prather

Supervisor