‘Inclusion means judging ideas on their merits’

Renewable energy is an industry built around transformation, so I think we should be equally open to challenging established thinking within the industry itself. I came into solar without an engineering background, which meant I wasn’t conditioned to accept that things had to be done a certain way. I identified cable theft as a growing problem for solar developers across Europe, often involving sophisticated organized crime. When I looked more closely at the issue, I questioned why so much investment was focused on documenting theft rather than physically preventing it.

That question led me to develop Ilanco’s solution: a system designed to prevent solar cable theft rather than simply record or respond to it. Different backgrounds create different questions, and sometimes asking a different question is exactly where innovation begins. Coming from outside the industry let me approach an established problem without being constrained by how it had traditionally been addressed.

Letting the results speak for themselves

Throughout my career, I’ve heard variations of: “How did a woman who isn’t an engineer and didn’t come from the industry think of this?” I quickly learned not to waste energy trying to prove I belonged in the room. I focused instead on understanding the problem, developing a practical solution and letting the results speak for themselves.

Since our first Ilanco installation in February 2024, not one cable protected by our system has been stolen. Across our current data, the sites experienced 22 thefts before installation and zero afterwards. For me, credibility isn’t about having the expected background or title. It’s about identifying a problem, solving it, and demonstrating the outcome.

Inclusion means judging ideas on their merits

One of the most valuable leadership lessons I’ve learned is that good leadership doesn’t gatekeep ideas based on where they come from. I originally developed Ilanco’s solution when cable theft emerged as a significant risk to large-scale PV plants. My husband, Sascha Wirth, an engineer and Technical Director in the solar industry, understands the operational, insurance and financing consequences of that risk.

Rather than questioning whether someone without an engineering background could solve an engineering-related problem, he supported the idea and judged it on its merits. That taught me something important: inclusion isn’t about lowering the bar; it’s about removing assumptions about who can clear it. Good ideas should be evaluated by their potential and results, not by who brings them forward.

My team includes different ethnicities and an age range from 23 to 34. When I hire, I’m far more interested in someone’s personality, work ethic and willingness to learn than whether they have the “right” degree. Skills can be taught. Reliability, curiosity and the attitude someone brings to a team are much harder to teach.

I also believe people perform best when they feel respected enough to speak up, question something or suggest a better way. Diversity has little value if everyone is expected to think the same way. I want people around me who bring different perspectives and aren’t afraid to use them, because those differences can help us identify problems and develop better solutions.

Rethinking the economics of cable theft

Cable theft should be viewed as an asset-management issue, not simply a security issue. The real cost includes downtime, repairs, operational disruption and insurance implications. One client recently reported approximately €280,000 in damages. A single incident can therefore become a significant operational and financial problem for an asset owner.

For me, it comes down to capital allocation. Cameras may document a potential six-figure problem, but they require power, connectivity and human intervention while creating recurring OPEX. Our system is a one-time installation operating 24/7 without power or human intervention. For asset owners, the question is ultimately this: are we spending money documenting losses, or investing in preventing them?

Prevention puts capital ahead of the loss event. If a one-time investment can continuously protect an asset and reduce recurring risk, why wait until a potential six-figure loss has already occurred? Assess the economics of cable theft prevention not only against the cost of security measures, but also against the wider financial and operational consequences of failing to prevent an incident.

The courage to question and the humility to learn

My advice to a young woman entering solar or renewable energy today is not to confuse being new to an industry with having nothing valuable to contribute to it. Sometimes, not knowing how something has “always been done” allows you to see a problem completely differently. Ask questions, stay curious and don’t wait for someone else to decide you’re qualified enough to have an idea.

At the same time, be willing to do the work. Understand the problem, listen to people with technical expertise and surround yourself with people who challenge and support you. You don’t need to know everything to create something valuable. You need the courage to question, the humility to learn and the determination to turn a good idea into measurable results.

Janine Wirth is the founder and Managing Director of Ilanco GmbH, a German company specialising in physical cable theft prevention for large-scale solar parks. Coming from outside the traditional engineering and solar sectors, she developed Ilanco’s solution after identifying cable theft as a significant operational and financial risk to PV assets. Her approach challenges the industry’s reliance on documenting and responding to theft, focusing instead on preventing the loss event itself. Since Ilanco’s first installation in February 2024, not one cable protected by its system has been stolen. Janine is particularly interested in asset protection, risk management and the relationship between preventive investment, OPEX and long-term asset performance. She advocates for diverse thinking in renewable energy and believes innovation often begins with having the courage to question how things have always been done.

Interested in joining Janine Wirth and other women industry leaders and experts at Women in Solar+ Europe? Find out more: www.wiseu.network