Photovoltaic panels stolen from fields

Are solar panels stolen?

Several instances of solar panel theft have been reported, including an incident at Gateshead International stadium as well as a larger incident in 2021 in which 221 solar panels were stolen from a solar farm. Solar panel theft is the primary issue, although some landowners report that it isn’t just the panels themselves that are stolen.

What should I do if my solar panels are stolen?

Ensure your homeowner’s insurance policy covers your solar panels in case of theft. Some solar panel owners choose to install GPS tracking devices on their panels, allowing them to be tracked and located if stolen. Ensure your solar panels are professionally installed.

How much money is stolen from a solar project?

In the UK alone, for example, a 2019 heist saw more than £900,000 (US$1 million) of solar modules stolen from a project, while project security company SafeSite Facilities (SSF) estimates that organised crime in relation to solar projects is on the rise.

How much property was stolen from UK solar sites last year?

Speakers at the event, held in Telford, in the west of England, appealed for solar site owners to report all incidents of criminal damage, no matter how small. Taylor said GBP 574,300 ($691,500) worth of property was reported stolen from UK solar sites last year, but noted that the real figure is likely higher.

Did UK police find solar panels stolen from Worcestershire site?

Photo: DeterTech From pv magazine Gloval 04/23 When the UK police visited an address in Staffordshire they suspected of harboring solar panels stolen from a Worcestershire site in 2019, they not only recovered 13 modules but also found paperwork indicating planned shipments to Madrid for resale.

Can a PV module be stolen?

There are also two other key factors that affect the potential for PV module theft: PV systems have experienced dramatic growth all over the world - from inner cities to rural villages. A stolen PV module has value in resale dollars and also as a source of power for small appliances.