First, it’s worthwhile to contact your homeowner’s insurance and figure out if solar panels are covered under your policy. Even though this doesn’t prevent theft, at least you know that the panels are insured.
In comparison to the solar panels, many of the security tips below are inexpensive strategies to deter and prevent burglars from taking your energy saving installation.
- Keep the fact that you installed solar panels onto your home a secret. Although you might want to promote them since they save money and energy, avoid talking about it. The more people know you have solar panels, the better chances you have at becoming a target.
- Install motion detector lights on your roof. Is the intruder really going to think you have motion detector lights on your roof? Probably not so this is an excellent deterrent, and it will give you and your neighbors a chance of seeing the culprit too.
- When installing your solar panels, use one way screws, because this will make it more challenging for a burglar to remove them from your roof.
- Use a heavy gauge chain to link the solar panels together. It’s much easy for a thief to take individual panels off of your house. Another option is to use a security cable with a lock and secure the panels onto your roof trusses.
- Never leave ladders against the house, because this just makes it easier for intruders to access your roof.
- Engrave your contact information to the backs of the solar panels, because burglars will not be able to easily sell them. It might also increase the chances of police finding your solar panels if they’re stolen.
- Install security cameras on your roof. If a person does steal your panels, you might be able to give the police some valuable information such as a description to help them find the person who did it.
Whenever you’re installing new pieces of technology onto the outside of your home, you need to think about how you can protect your investment. If a burglar can walk right up to your house, unscrew the product and walk away with it, then you’re not doing a good job of thinking ahead.
Marina Hanes has a B.A. in Professional Writing and Editing from Youngstown State University. She is a vegetarian and is passionate about environmental issues and animal rights.
I think that legislation should be forwarded regarding the security of these solar panels. also the consideration of a solar powered community should be taken notice of.
Responses to Richard
I agree. It’s unfortunate that companies who are investing in solar panels are having to deal with burglars. The last thing we want is people to become hesitant about buying solar panels simply because of the threat of robbers, which is why I provided these security tips.