Solar Panel Thefts On The Rise
You wake up one morning and walk out to get the paper. Something seems odd as you look around. Hey, where are my solar panels? Yes, solar panel thefts are on the rise.
The benefits of solar panel systems are well-known. They produce clean energy. They reduce your energy usage. They cut down on your utility bills. On the other side of the coin, the panels are incredibly valuable. A solid system can run $25,000 brand new. Somewhere, a thief realized that swiping said panels might be a good scam.
So, what happens? Well, installing panels can take a bit of effort and time. They have to be coordinated. Wiring has to be set up. Water systems have to be channeled and so on. Ripping panels off takes almost no time. Many are just glued down. A well placed yank can do the deal in a few seconds. Even when bolted down, the removal only takes a small amount of effort.
What happens to the panels? We are in the golden age of the sale of stolen goods. How so? The web! Sites ranging from eBay to Craigslist to any classified ad site are ripe selling platforms for thieves. If you don't believe me, do a search for solar panels on any of these sites. You'll probably notice there are some really good deals on prices…suspiciously so. I mean, who sells a $25,000 solar panel system for $5,000?
If you put up a solar panel system, you need to take some precautionary steps. The first is to make sure everything is screwed down and secured. Don't use glue! Second, make sure anti-theft bolting systems using one way screws are used. Third, make sure to alert your homeowner's insurance company that you have panels and that they are covered. Fourth, consider having your name etched into the panels so they can be identified. Fifth, sit on your roof with a bat. Okay, maybe not that one, but be vigilant.
