Thinking about home solar panels? Thieves are too.

Before making the leap to buy home solar panels you may want to think about an additional investment: a solar security system. It differs in each circumstance but with solar panels costing on average a minimum of $1,000 each, thieves are beginning to shift their attention from metal to solar.

Buying solar panels is becoming a popular way for businesses and homes to go green without making sweeping changes to their way of life. In California, some of the most interested businesses are wineries looking to round out a solid product selection with a green image. The problem? Thieves stealing from from those installations and likely reselling solar panels for cheap.

Michael Honig, President of Honig Vineyard and Winery says “first of all, I was like, what's wrong with this picture? It's kind of like ‘Where's Waldo.’ It's like something doesn't seem right, and I got off my bike and I stopped and I said, oh, my God. Someone stole our panels.” That’s according to NPR.

His vineyard was targeted two times by thieves looking to make a quick buck but on their third attempt he was ready. A security system alerted the local sheriff who arrived in time to observe three individuals fleeing.

There’s a lesson here for anyone looking at solar panels for their home and that is the need for an increased awareness of value. It might be a good reason to make friends with your neighbors so they can keep an eye out for you, or even to pony up for some sort of security system.

Interestingly, the authorities in California were not able to locate the stolen solar panels and the component parts are not likely worth much. Speculation on some sort of solar black market is gaining momentum and will likely become more of a problem as homes and businesses increasingly rely on solar to meet their energy needs.