Solar Panel Fire Risks

However it s important to learn how these high tech devices work if you re thinking.

Solar panel fire risks.

Fires involving solar panels may be infrequent but when they do occur they present a number of additional challenges to the occupier building owner and fire fighters. Solar pv panels and cables contain materials from which toxic substances can be released in the event of a fire. Although natural hazards such as overvoltage power surges lightning may play a significant role wrongly sized and defective equipment can also be a big culprit behind the fire. Firefighters already face many hazards in their line of work.

They are exposed to a variety of carcinogens from burning materials can suffer from burns or smoke inhalation or even fall or be trapped while fighting a fire. This risk will be higher if incorrect equipment or wiring has been used. The risk is low in 2016 renew a not for profit organisation commissioned a report into the fire risk of solar pv systems. Some solar panels for example include a backing of highly combustible plastic.

They found that just 1 5 of residential fires in australia were linked with solar pv systems. A house fire in winchester in june 2018 was believed to have been caused by an electrical fault in the solar panels installed on the roof. They can t explode when you drop them and they can t set your house on fire. So are solar panels dangerous for firefighters.

Solar panels aren t dangerous. One other fire risk with solar panels has nothing to do with the difference between dc and ac power. Wise solar industry leaders can learn from the past and be proactive in seeking stricter regulation in accordance with growing scientific evidence that solar panels pose a risk of toxic chemical. There can be numerous reasons for solar panels causing a house fire.

Instead a phenomenon called a hot spot in very rare cases can generate so much heat that it causes flammable materials in or near the panel to catch on fire. However this technology comes with specific risks.