South Africa has seen a surge in alternative power systems as state-owned utility Eskom fails to meet the energy demand, with rolling blackouts taking place daily because of frequent breakdowns at Eskom power stations.warned that load-shedding has created high demand and consequently a “massive” black market for solar panels.
Fidelity Services Group head of communications Charnel Hattingh said the security company had responded to numerous theft incidents involving solar panels and batteries. Auto & General’s chief executive officer Ricardo Coetzee said they had also seen an increase in home break-ins, and that load-shedding was one of the contributing factors.The insurers added that some customers reported that they suspected the panels were stolen by the same company that had installed them.
“These criminals come dressed in work suits, to look like they are coming to maintain the panels. It is wise for those that own the panels to alert their neighbours when they are not around to keep an eye out for them and alert the police of suspicious activity,” he said.