Solar panel theft is on the rise, up 17 percent annually from 2002-2009. As the benefits of solar energy become more widely known, theft of solar panels, or at least attempted theft, will undoubtedly rise.
There are a number of steps you can take to minimize the chance of solar theft: deeply engrave a marking into the metal frame of each panel; be sure to take down ladders and other easy paths to your roof before you’re in for the night; chain all of the panels together so that a thief would have to move multiple panels at once (at 40 lbs. each, this quickly gets difficult); install motion detector lights on your roof; or ask if your installer can use one-way screws when fastening the panels to the racking system.
If those measures don’t give you comfort, there are several products on the market to protect your pricey, eco-friendly investment, including fastening bolts, detection lights and alarm systems to make sure your panels remain intact overnight.
The DETER Bolt is made of stainless steel and accompanied by its own wrench; the only tool on the market able to screw and unscrew the bolts from your solar panel. Not even another person with a DETER Bolt can unscrew yours, as each model comes with a specially engraved number that corresponds to the wrench included.
Another option is to use a specialized mounting solution: some racking systems essentially frame all of your solar panels into a single block, making it incredibly difficult to move them (it also makes them difficult to service or replace, so weigh your priorities with your solar installer). A more convenient alternative is affixing multiple panels to a single long rail using one-way screws–again, using the combined weight of the solar panels themselves as the primary deterrent. Australian solar integrator Energy Matters markets such a system, but depending on the design of your array, your solar installer may be able to custom fit one.
Alarm systems triggered by removing a component of the solar array or by cutting through any of the wires are also a smart idea, and will make your insurance company happy.
To discourage solar theft from another angle, be wary of buying solar panels on auction websites or at a steep “discount” from private sellers. As long as you work with a qualified solar installer, though, you should have no worries. The installer will use only new equipment when giving you a quote for many reasons: to ensure valid equipment warranties; to protect themselves as well as your investment; and to ensure you receive all applicable solar incentives, which generally only apply to new solar components.
To read more about solar panel theft and protection, check out these other GetSolar posts:
Companies Find Ways to Guard Solar Panels as Solar Theft Rises
Solar Panels Stolen From California Winery
Chico, CA: Hotbed of Solar Crime
I feel sad that such incidents can happen to people whom has the kind heart to save our environment. In the end, the cost of setting up solar panels have gone up just because of additional security. Really hope solar panel’s manufacturer could help to build in more security feature to ensure the owners of solar panel have a peace of mind little or no rise in the cost of solar panels.