Hi All,

It seems Solar panels are being stolen more and more. Does anyone have a decent idea how to add something to my current alarm system? I have spare zones on my DSC alarm.

Either contacts between panels so if one is removed it breaks the contact, ( like a door connector ) Brackets? Or a beam on the roof?

Thanks,

Kevin

55 minutes ago, Kevin Lourens said:

Hi All,

It seems Solar panels are being stolen more and more. Does anyone have a decent idea how to add something to my current alarm system? I have spare zones on my DSC alarm.

Either contacts between panels so if one is removed it breaks the contact, ( like a door connector ) Brackets? Or a beam on the roof?

Thanks,

Kevin

Looks like I'm living in a bubble, I don't see how these can be stolen. Assuming you have an electric fence which is link to a rapid response company or a basic alarm system with beams around your house, how will they get to your roof? take down the panels and get them over your wall or walk out your gate without sounding an alarm or neighbors seeing them? 

I think someone somewhere want to cause a scare, someone wants to cash in on the perception that solar panels theft is on the rise. I don't buy that, back to your question, I would get a dog. You already have an alarm system with beams in your yard, you will have to make use of it when the house is unoccupied or at night. That should be enough, provided your beams cover the whole yard 

 

8 minutes ago, hoohloc said:

Looks like I'm living in a bubble, I don't see how these can be stolen. Assuming you have an electric fence which is link to a rapid response company or a basic alarm system with beams around your house, how will they get to your roof? take down the panels and get them over your wall or walk out your gate without sounding an alarm or neighbors seeing them? 

I think someone somewhere want to cause a scare, someone wants to cash in on the perception that solar panels theft is on the rise. I don't buy that, back to your question, I would get a dog. You already have an alarm system with beams in your yard, you will have to make use of it when the house is unoccupied or at night. That should be enough, provided your beams cover the whole yard 

 

Last week they tried twice to steal my neighbour’s solar panels. He heard them on the roof at night and shouted but they continued. He pressed the panic button and only when the security company came, they ran away. He had anti-theft clips and that’s why they couldn’t remove the panels but they damaged them. Then the following night, they came and tried again. He called the security company again and then they ran away again. But the very same night 6 panels were stolen from another house down the street. 

47 minutes ago, hoohloc said:

Looks like I'm living in a bubble, I don't see how these can be stolen.

 

You certainly seem to be living in a bubble..

 

1 hour ago, Kevin Lourens said:

Hi All,

It seems Solar panels are being stolen more and more. Does anyone have a decent idea how to add something to my current alarm system? I have spare zones on my DSC alarm.

Either contacts between panels so if one is removed it breaks the contact, ( like a door connector ) Brackets? Or a beam on the roof?

Thanks,

Kevin

Outdoor passives on the frame structure (DT) Dual Technology - Microwave and IR.  Program your alarm panel as 24hr guard zone, communication on and 'Bell on alarm'.  You can add LED spot lights on a pulse module that will effectively blind their night vision. Hopefully they will experience a mishap in trying to get of the roof

I recently had Robo Guard beams installed in the yard and on the roof for the panels.  

1 hour ago, GVC said:

I recently had Robo Guard beams installed in the yard and on the roof for the panels.  

I would recommend to add an additional loud siren in the vicinity of the panels as well.

What about drilling a small hole through all the panel frames and then thread a thin wire through it? If the wire gets broken it triggers your alarm. 

A few booby traps maybe? 🫢

Seriously though, 

Layered defence is your best bet. 1.High fence with spikes or electrified,

2.Dog.  Ensure "beware of the dog signs" visible,

3.Keep area well lit,

4. Outdoor beams. NB! Don't forget to switch it on, 

5.security cameras real or fake. Preferably real.  

All of the above should be part of your normal security. It's best to keep the criminal off your property. Securing panels with lock and key on the roof is somewhat short sighted. 

Hopefully your property will then be less appealing. 

 

This will need changing on existing installations but going forward new installation could be fitted with Hafren security screws almost like the one lock nut on your mags of your car to prevent stealing. You buy the inserting tool with the bolts.

Edit. https://astrafasteners.co.za/hafren-south-africa/

 

Edited July 27, 20233 yr by TaliaB

9 hours ago, Vaal said:

What about drilling a small hole through all the panel frames and then thread a thin wire through it? If the wire gets broken it triggers your alarm. 

I am planning on doing this for my dads panels soon. Separate zone and siren with the wire fed through.

Still looking into beams as well.

2 hours ago, TaliaB said:

This will need changing on existing installations but going forward new installation could be fitted with Hafren security screws almost like the one lock nut on your mags of your car to prevent stealing. You buy the inserting tool with the bolts.

Edit. https://astrafasteners.co.za/hafren-south-africa/

 

Where exactly would you use those bolts?

Thanks everyone,

I have a reasonable good security around the house, Camera's, beams, clean and well lit, dog. I am just thinking ahead.

I like the option of a beam / passive on the roof.

4 minutes ago, PowerUser said:

Where exactly would you use those bolts?

I think replace the panel bracket bolts with the security ones

 

I reckon Google Maps Satellite view isn't helping any either

 

Easy enough to identify homes with panels, panel location, plot entry and exit, get a feel for lay of the land etc.

These criminals don't sound the opportunistic type that walk around and theft is impromptu. Must be planned, surely (?)

1 hour ago, PowerUser said:

Where exactly would you use those bolts?

There where the red dots indicate.

To retrofit to an existing install, replacing the bolts would be easiest.

For my dad's, I made use of the antitheft brackets that clip into the strut, but have added additional strips bolting panels to each other and bolts either side of them to stop the panels being able to slide out the end of the rails.

 

Edited July 27, 20233 yr by Garthox

8 minutes ago, TaliaB said:

There where the red dots indicate.

That’s why I was asking. When they tried to steal my neighbour’s panels, they didn’t even use an allen key to unscrew the clamps. They just bent them backwards and freed the panels. These security bolts would’ve been useless. See below:

Hope your security on PC is up to date 😩

13 minutes ago, Garthox said:

To retrofit to an existing install, replacing the bolts would be easiest.

For my dad's, I made use of the antitheft brackets that clip into the strut, but have added additional strips bolting panels to each other and bolts either side of them to stop the panels being able to slide out the end of the rails.

 

The problem with these are, they fit only the galvanized steel rails and only in specific mounting configuration. And besides that, when these are encountered, they just remove the rails from the roof brackets and lift the panels together with the rails. A salesperson at Rubicon showed me exactly how this was done.

4 minutes ago, PowerUser said:

The problem with these are, they fit only the galvanized steel rails and only in specific mounting configuration. And besides that, when these are encountered, they just remove the rails from the roof brackets and lift the panels together with the rails. A salesperson at Rubicon showed me exactly how this was done.

Okay, interesting.
I can see that happening yes. So reducing access to the strut/roof bracket join could slow that (i doubt it would prevent removal like you have mentioned)

1 hour ago, PowerUser said:

That’s why I was asking. When they tried to steal my neighbour’s panels, they didn’t even use an allen key to unscrew the clamps. They just bent them backwards and freed the panels. These security bolts would’ve been useless. See below:

Ok thanks @PowerUserit is good to know their modus operandi,eish we can't win with these thieves crawling around everywhere.

Maybe it is time to add another Askari to my outdoor beam system. 

https://www.iol.co.za/weekend-argus/news/surge-in-solar-panel-theft-during-load-shedding-7995c303-016c-403c-9f46-1806d5431661

I have motion cameras that run on solar 24/7 on the roof looking at the panels. These feed through to my security company.