CARVER (AP) — Police in Carver are investigating the theft of solar panels from a roadside array that powers the North Carver water treatment plant.

Sgt. Raymond Orr tells The Patriot Ledger that 23 of the 330 solar arrays on the westbound side of Route 44 were discovered missing on Monday.

It is not clear when they were taken.

Orr says that a section of the fence had been cut to access the panels, and a truck was used to transport them.

The solar panels were paid for with a $150,000 federal economic stimulus grant.

It is the first solar farm to open on a major U.S. highway.

Police are asking for the public’s help in locating the panels.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.