With over 2 million solar power installations distributed in the entire U.S., many people may have growing concerns over fire safety. And that poses the question, can solar panels cause fires? Remarkably, solar panel system fires are rare. Nevertheless, many homeowners and business owners would like to know all the risks, including solar panel fires.
It is essential to note that even though you can install solar panels properly and in compliance with the current safety codes, solar fires do happen. Luckily, there are several safety processes involved to ensure safety.
How does solar panel cause fires, and what are the safety measures? Let’s look at solar panel system fires in detail.
Do Solar Panels Cause Fires
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When PV solar panels are properly installed, they don’t cause fires. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) test most PV modules. Before they are certified, UL subjects them to the rigors of everyday use. On the very rare instances in which a PV module has been implicated in a house fire, the cause has been electrical arcing due to improperly installed wiring, poor installation or lacking insulation.
What Causes Solar Panel Fires
Solar panels have been around in the US for decades. In particular, it is possible to link only a few fires to PV modules. Unfortunately, solar panels are not an exemption with the electrical systems that often risk to cause fires. But if you know why these fires occur, you can get them to stop.
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Starts of solar power panel fires cannot occur on their own. Solar panel fires are attributed to things like poorly installed panels, solar panel system sensors and malfunctioning junction boxes, among other issues.
a) Poor Installation
The most typical cause of solar panel fires is poor solar panel system installation. For example, as with all electrical systems, improper seaming of connectors can allow improper current paths leading to arcing between conductors and the ground, and/or producing hot spots within the systems. This can result in overheating and ignition of nearby flammable materials.
A professional must therefore install solar panels based on instructions and using the right equipment.
b) Defective Connections
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The main factor of a fire outbreak is overheated defective junction box. Where the solar panel connects to the electrical cables, you will find the junction box. It may overheat and cause a fire if the junction box is poor, or if the wiring is not done right. This can be prevented by regularly checking and maintaining the solar panels
Other reasons why solar panels can cause fires are;
- Poorly designed systems
- Power surges
- Lightening
- Faulty products
- Over-voltage
Every home and business owner needs to know that there are live wires with power throughout solar PV systems. Because of that, the connections need to be made according to the right configurations.
In addition, the wires must be the right wires for the job. Even for all wires, proper insulation should avoid issues. Tests of which failure can cause short circuits and arc faults, reverse currents and ground faults that may lead to a fire. For what it’s worth, this is roughly the same as the problems we have encountered by getting electricity from the grid to your home or business.
How to Prevent Solar Panel Fires
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Some of the safety measures that you can take include:
i) Choose Experienced Solar PV Installers
A qualified solar installer is expected to must have a good reputation in the area. Secondly, it should not be difficult to know the licenses the solar installer has. This assures of a trusted business and that they know what they are doing. A well trained workforce also means additional industry certificates.
ii) Get Quality Solar Panels and Parts
Because of the low price offer, there is high temptation to buy low quality solar panels and parts. Though they are cheap, at the same time you should completely avoid them. These panels can fail and catch fire creating more costs in the long run.
Use quality solar panels to avoid this issue. Long term warranties from the manufacturers of such solar panels are also available. The rule applies to every part of your solar panel system. Inherent in this, is that you must not choose frames and mounting systems for intrinsically.
iii) Maintain Your Solar System Regularly
Just as any electrical system, a solar panel system requires regular maintenance. Check out regularly any damages made by rodents, pests or small animals. Find cable holes and repair them so there will be no more problems.
iv) Avoid DIY Solar Installation
Often, people can rely on DIY solar installation. While you can save on installation costs, you still have a potential for fire risks in the future, if the installation goes wrong. Solar panel systems are complex and should be handled by only a trained electrician or solar PV installation experts. Doing this ensures that solar panels are safe and have lesser chance to catch fire.
Photovoltaic Solar Panels and House Fires
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PV systems are a potential fire hazard because firefighters might not know there is a system on the house. Some of these hazards are as follows:
1. Even after a main service panel is turned off, the direct current from a PV panel still might be live through the conduit to an inverter. This means firefighters can unknowingly cut live lines and be at risk for electrical shock. You’ll have some hopefully carry a “hot stick” which helps them determine if there is a hot wire but that won’t tell you if there is direct current.
2. Solar panels and batteries contain lethal chemicals that, if released in a fire, are dangerous if inhaled.
3. PV modules have a slippery surface and are a slip and fall risk to technicians, inspectors, and firefighters.
4. Solar panels may impede main points and pathways that technicians, inspectors, and firefighters use in mounting and navigating and dismounting from a roof.
5. PV modules may inhibit the ventilation of a fire in prime roof locations.
6. If a building’s integrity has already been compromised by fire, the solar panel array itself is too heavy, and the roof may collapse.
Frequently Asked Questions
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i) How Often do Solar Panels Cause Fires
Although there is no clear statistics on rooftop PV system fires in the U.S., for a solar system to suddenly go up flames is not typical. According to a report on fire risks in Germany, the system itself is the cause of 48 percent of solar panel related fires.
ii) Am I Putting My Home at Risk by Installing a Rooftop PV System
Solar systems installed well by space professionals aren’t supposed to pose any significant hazard to the space at all. Guidelines for any state specific licensing requirements involving solar system installers can be found in the National Solar Licensing Database.
Experts can also be certified by the Board of Certified Energy Practitioners program, which authorizes working with the PV and solar heating technologies.
iii) Are there Physical Protections that can be Installed to Minimize Fire Risks
Shutting down PV systems as per the National Electric Code requirements will protect consumers and first responders. In essence the building or home should have clear labelling pointing out the power lines attached to the PV system and also the locations of various parts. This would allow firefighters easy access to the power lines when they reach them.
iv) Is there Any Special Equipment to be Used when Installing Solar Panels
Whatever type of solar PV system you may have (backup generator, isolated battery storage, or even stand alone battery storage), it should be installed in accordance with the applicable safety rules.
v) What kind of Insurance do I Need for My Solar Panel System
Normally rooftop solar panels are attached to the property and are considered part of it. That is why the homeowner’s insurance policies also cover the solar panel system. In the event that the panels sit on the ground or a carport, you may still need an extra policy. Ask your insurance provider.
Final Thought
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While it’s impossible to lay out an agreed upon probability for solar panel fire, there are millions of installed systems that have been used safely worldwide which show that solar system fire is very, very rare. That said, it is important to know the risks, the leading causes of solar system fires, how to prevent them and how to insure your assets before installing solar panels onto your building.
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