The South African Police Service’s (SAPS) latest crime statistics show that household robberies are still a prominent challenge in the country, and rooftop solar panels are one of the main targets for criminals.
King Price told MyBroadband that homeowners should take certain precautions to protect their solar panels from theft, including upgrading perimeter security and using reputable security companies.
The SAPS’s crime statistics show that 34,075 home burglaries were reported between April and June 2024, nearly 380 per day.
The rising theft of solar panels and their components follows South Africa’s load-shedding crisis, with 2023 being the worst year of load-shedding in history.
Due to the frequent and intense load-shedding last year, many homeowners installed rooftop solar systems to reduce their reliance on Eskom.
The ongoing energy crisis and South Africa’s economic challenges have led to criminals targeting valuable equipment.
According to King Price client experience partner Wynand van Vuuren, homeowners should prioritise upgrading their perimeter security, securing their tools, and using tamper-resistant hardware.
“One of the most effective deterrents against solar panel theft is proper security. Installing sturdy fencing or walls, electric fencing, beams, and motion-sensor lighting can make it much harder for thieves to access anything on your property,” he said.
“Motion-sensitive cameras are also a great option, as they can alert you in real-time if there’s suspicious activity near your home.”
He explained that opportunistic criminals will use a homeowner’s tools to access their solar panels if they aren’t well secured.
“Don’t give criminals easy access to the tools they need to steal your solar panels. Lock away ladders, garden equipment, and any other items that could help them reach your rooftop installation,” said Van Vuuren.
He added that homeowners can also ask installers to use bolts and fasteners that are difficult to remove when installing their solar system.
Van Vuuren said integrating solar systems with a broader home security plan by working with a reputable security company to combine alarms, camera systems, and physical barriers was a good move.
Customers are also advised to keep their batteries and inverters securely locked away in hard-to-unlock enclosures.
“Even with the best security measures in place, it’s essential to ensure your solar installation is covered by insurance,” said Van Vuuren.
“The good news is that your losses are likely covered if your solar system is installed by a certified electrician who issues a certificate of compliance (COC), and you’ve insured it properly.”
He added that it’s critical that homeowners inform their insurers of their solar installation and provide the required documents.
“You’ll also need to make sure that the insured value for your buildings is updated to include the system,” he said.
Booming black market
The rapid uptake of solar power solutions in South Africa last year, combined with the theft of components, has facilitated a booming black market trade for entire solar panels and the scrap value of their parts.
This is according to Solarise Africa co-founder and COO Sakkie van Wijk, who warned in July 2023 that South Africa’s booming solar power market has started to attract crooks.
He explained that Solarise Africa had observed dodgy transactions involving several supply chain layers that added markups and kickbacks. This resulted in inflated project costs and problematic installations.
“We’ve even found large deals that were concluded with mere handshakes and absolutely no paperwork — no scope, so service level agreements, no system specifications — this is typically at least double the actual cost,” said Van Wijk.
“We urge everyone in the process of adopting solar to scrutinise every aspect of the deal.”
In February 2023, South African security giant Fidelity ADT warned of rising solar panel theft rise in the country.
Fidelity ADT head of marketing and communications, Charnel Hattingh, said the company had observed growing appeal among criminals towards backup energy products.
She added that the company had received several reports of solar panels being stolen in the space of a few weeks while homeowners were at work.
In addition to Van Vuuren’s recommendations, Hattingh said homeowners should aim to keep their properties well-lit at all times.
Source : https://mybroadband.co.za/news/
