DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. - Solar energy has become a “hot” commodity. According to a story in theNew York Times, thieves are stealing solar panels from homes and businesses in California and reselling them, sometimes online on sites like eBay.

In one case, a homeowner in Desert Hot Springs has lost 16 solar panels from her roof in three separate burglaries. In another case, an office building in Santa Rosa had 58 panels stolen. California is the largest market for solar installations, and according to theTimes, the state is seeing a number of these burglaries.

Even the owner of a solar installation company was hit by a burglary.

And theTimesnoted that although other solar markets are small in comparison, such thefts are spreading into other states.

Publication date:09/29/2008