Solar Panel Security: A Wake-Up Call as Load Shedding Returns

24 Feb 2025

Just when we thought load shedding was a thing of the past, recent weeks have seen the familiar pattern of power cuts return to South African households and businesses. While many companies had invested in solar solutions as their ticket to energy independence, this silver lining came with an unexpected dark cloud, the rising threat of solar panel theft.

The hard truth? Some businesses may have lowered their guard during the brief respite from power cuts. But with load shedding back on the table, those solar installations may very well, once again be prime targets for sophisticated theft operations.

"As load shedding comes back and starts disrupting businesses again, the issue of solar panel theft is in the spotlight once more. It was a big problem during load shedding in 2023 and 2024," says Adriaan Otto, Managing Director of Excellerate Services. "In fact, just this past weekend, there was an attempted theft at one of our client sites, someone tried to steal solar panels stored in a container at a taxi rank parking area.” 

He continues, "One of the most effective deterrents is proper security, sturdy fencing, electric fencing, beams, and motion-sensor lighting which makes it much harder for thieves to access anything on your property."

Previously, reports revealed that small businesses, particularly those unoccupied at night and over weekends, were bearing the brunt of these thefts. The impact goes beyond just replacing expensive equipment, businesses face operational disruptions, production delays, and the frustrating return to load-shedding schedules they thought they'd escaped.

The problem isn't limited to solar panels alone. During periods of load shedding, the theft of both public and private infrastructure surges. A previous study revealed that incidents of cable theft and other infrastructure crimes increased by over 20% during loadshedding. With power outages causing additional darkness and quiet, criminals take advantage of the situation to target both commercial and public assets. This escalation of crime highlights the urgent need to keep solar panels, and other critical infrastructure, secure.

It's crucial for businesses to reassess and reinforce their solar security measures. Many of the protective systems put in place during the height of load shedding may need maintenance, updating, or strengthening. This is particularly important for businesses that may have become complacent during the quieter periods or those who rushed their initial security setup in their haste to get solar installed during the peak of the power crisis.

So what can businesses do to protect their solar investments? Here are a few recommendations:

First, think like a thief to prevent theft. Ensure your installation is well-lit at night, as criminals often work under cover of darkness. Motion-sensor lights can be particularly effective in deterring nighttime attempts.

Physical barriers remain your first line of defense. Beyond the obvious fencing and electric fencing, don't overlook the basics, secure any ladders or bins that could give thieves easy access to your roof.

But perhaps most importantly, don't rely on a single security measure. Modern solar security needs a layered approach, surveillance cameras connected to your alarm system, tamper-resistant mounting systems, and well-trained staff who know what suspicious activity looks like. Read more about how to protect your business in our comprehensive target hardening article.

The surge in solar adoption has unfortunately created a booming black market for both complete panels and their components. When thieves strike, businesses don't just lose their expensive equipment, they lose their shield against load shedding exactly when they need it most.

It's a sobering reminder that as we adapt to South Africa's energy challenges, we need to stay one step ahead of those looking to exploit the situation. In 2024, with solar panels ranking among the most targeted items for theft, businesses can't afford to let their guard down, even during those precious moments when load shedding seems to be taking a break.

Remember, your solar installation is more than just panels on a roof, it's your business's lifeline during power cuts. Protecting it should be just as much a priority as installing it in the first place.

Sources: My Broadband, Solarwow, Business Tech, novuspressbulletin.co.za, Timeslive