[RE-wrenches] Security / theft questions

[Jason Szumlanski]

Interesting point implied about the systems being non-functional after some
modules are stolen. That is a good argument for a microinverter based
system, or if off-grid, an AC coupled system with at least part of the
array with micros (preferably the ones most likely to be stolen.

Making a system modular is key where replacement parts are few and far
between. That's where arguments for more parallel strings of batteries come
into play. A single series string is often useless if one cell is lost.
Speaking of which, more parallel strings of modules in a battery based
system can be more resilient as well.

Food for thought...

Jason Szumlanski
Fafco Solar




On Wed, Jul 11, 2012 at 5:40 PM, Steve McCarney
<stevemccarney54 at gmail.com>wrote:

> The theft problem is sometimes different in other countries. In some
> developing countries PV module theft is being informally reported as on the
> rise at public sites like schools and clinics and wells. Some UN health
> officials in these countries see PV module theft as one of the major causes
> of PV system failure for PV powered vaccine refrigerator systems - right
> behind various battery system problems, usually the main equipment failure
> point.
>
> There is a market for the stolen modules too. In one case I was shown
> modules for sale on the street only a few miles from where a large array
> had been ripped off. The local solar pro who pointed this out claimed these
> were the very same modules and that law and order was no help, at least in
> that area.
>
> Communities learn and in some cases have set up their own volunteer
> guards. In other cases some of the income generated from public PV systems
> has been used to hire security. Even that doesn't always work.
>
>
>
> On Wed, Jul 11, 2012 at 12:31 PM, Will White <William.White at realgoods.com>wrote:
>
>>  We had an array stolen from a ground mount system directly in front of
>> a state police barracks.  They drove up in a van during a shift change,
>> took all the modules down, and drove off.  Never got caught.  ****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> We assumed they used the modules on a camp somewhere in the middle of the
>> woods.****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> *From:* re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:
>> re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Rebekah Hren
>> *Sent:* Friday, July 06, 2012 1:04 PM
>> *To:* re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>> *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Security / theft questions****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> I'm researching an article on PV system security/theft, and I thought it
>> would be interesting to ask the wrenches list what y'all have been seeing
>> on sites, hoping it might be useful for everyone. ****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> Answers to any of these questions would be really appreciated:****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> 1) On my sites copper has been stolen, but never modules. Is anyone
>> seeing stolen modules, or is it more copper/tools/equipment thefts because
>> its easy to pawn? What the heck would you do with stolen modules besides
>> use them on your own property? Searching craiglist and ebay I haven't seen
>> any sign of what look to be stolen modules. I'm having a hard time figuring
>> out what you would do with a significant quantity of stolen modules. ****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> 2) It is very hard to prove that a security measure works, but you can
>> prove that one has failed. Has anyone had experience with thefts on sites
>> using security hardware? Using cameras? Using guards? If a theft occurred,
>> was it during or after installation?****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> 3) What about theft from non-secured sites? ****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> 4) Is theft something you are worried about on residential/ commercial
>> roof systems after the installation is complete? ****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> Many thanks!****
>>
>> Rebekah Hren****
>>
>> O2 Energies, ****
>>
>> North Carolina****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> ** **
>>
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