As the number of solar photo voltaic panel installations continue to increase both in the UK and overseas so does the problem of preventing them being stolen off the roofs of both domestic and commercial properties and at solar farms. It is estimated that between 2009 and 2012 there has been a 15% increase in such thefts. In fact, it was only in July 2013 that we commented on the theft of 60 solar panels worth in the region of £30,000 that had been stolen from the roof of a commercial premise on a business park in Burton upon Trent.
You would have thought that solar panels would be extremely difficult to remove without being damaged and furthermore a thief would find it hard to do this without being seen or heard. No doubt, these thefts are taking place during the dead of night.
Well, Peter Macalroy who has a roofing company in Glasgow and has previously worked in the security industry, believes he has developed the perfect solution and has patented his invention. It was whilst his roofing company were helping solar panel installers fix the mounting brackets for the panels on slate roofs that he came up with the idea.
Presently, other competitors in the market place are either using security screws for which it is easy to obtain the head to undo them and alarm beams but these can be quire expensive.
Peter’s company, Solar Panel Security, has perfected an anti-theft bracket called ‘SPracket” that is highly effective, simple to fit, cosmetically pleasing to the eye and very reasonably priced.
The SPracket bracket that can be produced in any colour comes in two pieces –top and bottom. The bottom piece comes with 3-pronged returns on it that lock both between and under the two solar panels. A coach bolt headed screw will drop down to self-locate and then a nut that snaps off tightens the two clamps together resulting in their being no available grip that can be removed. To avoid any damage to the SPracket, should a grinder be needed to remove the bolt, a washer is placed between the bottom brackets and nut.
When you consider that damaged solar panels would have no value and the only way the SPracket could be removed without damaging the panels would be to use a grinder, there really is no point in attempting to steal them. The SPracket can either be retrofitted to existing solar panels or fitted during the installation process.
Peter, along with the SPracket, will be attending the Solar Energy UK 2013 show at the NEC, Birmingham between 8th to 10th October when this product is to be officially launched so why not visit his stand to see a demonstration and ask any questions.
