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 <stevemccarne...@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.wh...@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-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto: >> re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Rebekah Hren >> *Sent:* Friday, July 06, 2012 1:04 PM >> *To:* re-wrenches@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**** >> >> ** ** >> >> ** ** >> >> ** ** >> >> ** ** >> >> ** ** >> >> _______________________________________________ >> List sponsored by Home Power magazine >> >> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org >> >> Options & settings: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List-Archive: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List rules & etiquette: >> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> >> Check out participant bios: >> www.members.re-wrenches.org >> >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Home Power magazine > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Options & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > >
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