Envision this: You get a white truck, a few magnets made for $40 that say “Joe’s Solar” or whatever, then you go to people’s homes who have solar systems and snatch the solar panels right off the roof in broad daylight. All the neighbors think you’re doing maintenance.
Scary huh? Solar panel theft is extremely rare in the US, but it happens (probably not ever in the above scenario… most thieves lack solid planning). It also usually happens on properties with ground mounted systems (thieves are lazy). In Europe, where solar is much more prolific, solar panel theft is a more common phenomenon.
The good news is there’s no good way to sell stolen solar panels. Often, the people who try get busted. But there will undoubtedly be a secondary market for used solar panels within a few years, as people upgrade or return leased systems.
How do you protect yourself against solar panel theft?
- TELL YOUR HOME INSURANCE PEOPLE! This is number one. If you told them you installed solar panels, you’re covered. If not, you’re not. Often times they won’t even raise your premium.
- You could essentially create The Viper for solar with a wire that alarms if removed… or you could even use your solar monitoring system to alert you (although that would only work in the day). You could video them, but then is that really realistic?
- They have serial numbers, but that probably doesn’t help stop them from getting stolen, and may not be that great a help in getting them tracked down. However, asking for them when installed won’t hurt.
- Here’s a good one: there is a company that makes lockable hex nuts with their own unique key (which I can’t find at the moment…. I’m bad at the internet) … without that unique key you can just go to Home Depot and get a set of 40 attachments which would pretty much cover all possible hex nuts. This will be a unique selling point of some solar installers to come I am sure.
- Put some sticker on them that says “protected by blah blah blah alarm” whether it’s true or not. Deterrence, yo. Just make sure you don’t put the sticker on the face of the panel
Ninjas are afoot »« Oregon's Solar Powered Highway
In point #2, Video-ing them might not be so unrealistic. This of course depends on the homeowner. I saw a guy on the evening news last week who logs into scan the US border via the internet for illegals. He’s addicted.
Might be a funny scenario if he had solar on his roof and his panels were taken while he was trolling the border from his computer inside.
Perhaps Lo-Jack might have a new line of service soon? Solar-Jack? I mean, solar panels amount to the same value as many cars. I’d consider it at least.
Just buy Andalay Panels from Akeena Solar they are THEFT PROOF….
re “TELL YOUR HOME INSURANCE PEOPLE! This is number one. If you told them you installed solar panels, you’re covered. If not, you’re not.”
I called my insurance company, they said if they are attached to the house, I was automatically covered. If they were detached (ground mounted), then we’d need some paperwork.
this is a good tip, thanks guys. I’m really enjoying the site. From a new solar panel salesman in Indiana who needs to know stuff like this!
I pity the jerk that steals in daylight and risks being killed! DC voltage un-like AC @60 cycles per second; Will kill, a zap from a DC single module can kill. When exposed to a dc current the muscles contract and hold tighter. YOU will DIE!..So my 2 cents. If the sign says DANGER DC or High voltage! Consider that your first warning to change professions from a thief to another line of work.
