Are Solar Panels Safe?
Last year, a couple of high-profile fires on buildings with solar panels made the news. Since then, many Americans have started to wonder, “Is it safe for me to install solar on my home?”
Let’s take a closer look at the growing concern of fire hazards when installing solar panels. We’ll start by distinguishing between two distinct questions many people have about the safety of solar panels. One is, “Can solar panels cause a house fire?” And the other is, “How could my solar panels impact a house fire situation?” As we discuss each concern, we’ll also discuss what you can do to minimize risk.
Can solar panels cause fires?
In theory, it’s possible for any electrical device to cause a fire. Electrical fires can result from arcing due to faulty wiring, defective soldering, ground faults, insulation faults, corrosion or rodent damage. While solar panels aren’t immune to these incidents, they do have to meet international inspection and testing standards in order to make it to market. The fact is that fires caused by solar panels are extremely rare, and most of these are due to improper installation by inexperienced installers.
That said, here are some important precautions to take in order to minimize fire risk in your solar installation:
• Use quality components. Almost every documented case of fire caused by defective solar panels has occurred in cheap, off-brand equipment.
• Use an experienced installer. A competent installer will make sure all electrical connections are properly installed and insulated to minimize fire risk.
• Route cables properly. Appropriate sized electrical cables should be mounted in closed metal conduits. No loose cables should be present. Cables should be routed outside the building or enclosed in a fireproof duct.
• Protect inverters. Your inverter should be easily accessible, protected from the weather, and kept away from combustible materials. Be sure to leave enough space around it for proper ventilation.
• Inspect regularly. Once or twice a year, a qualified solar inspector should examine the system for faulty connections, rodent damage or other fire hazards.
How can solar panels affect a house fire?
It is perhaps a testament to the safety record of the solar industry that most of the recent concern over solar panels and fires does not have to do with fires caused by panels themselves. Rather, it’s about how solar panels can impact the course of a house fire caused by other sources.
The biggest concerns are that the panels can interfere with firefighters’ access to the roof, including their ability to ventilate the building. Another concern is that the DC current running from panels to inverter doesn’t get shut off when firefighters shut off the electricity to the house. This can lead to risk of shock, and can interfere with attempts to douse the flames.
Here are some tips for minimizing risk in case of fire in a home equipped with solar panels:
• Label your system. Mark each component clearly, and include disconnect instructions on the main service panel. Don’t forget to mark live cable every 10 feet or so. Firefighters carry equipment to identify live wires, but it usually doesn’t register DC current.
• Install a rooftop shutoff switch. This will allow instant shutoff of DC current running from the panels to the inverter.
• Leave space around the panels. There should be sufficient room for firefighters and inspectors to navigate between them.
• Leave room for ventilation. In case of fire, firefighters will need to open up a section of roof. Make sure they have enough space to do this.
• Inform your local fire department. Give them a set of plans and make sure they have instructions for how to deal with your solar panels in an emergency.
As with any high-voltage electrical equipment, it’s wise to take precautions to protect against fire when installing solar. However, it’s important to note that the solar industry as a whole has an excellent safety record. The vast majority of solar installations never pose a problem. And by following fire safety best practices, you can achieve the safest system possible.
Let’s take a closer look at the growing concern of fire hazards when installing solar panels. We’ll start by distinguishing between two distinct questions many people have about the safety of solar panels. One is, “Can solar panels cause a house fire?” And the other is, “How could my solar panels impact a house fire situation?” As we discuss each concern, we’ll also discuss what you can do to minimize risk.
Can solar panels cause fires?
In theory, it’s possible for any electrical device to cause a fire. Electrical fires can result from arcing due to faulty wiring, defective soldering, ground faults, insulation faults, corrosion or rodent damage. While solar panels aren’t immune to these incidents, they do have to meet international inspection and testing standards in order to make it to market. The fact is that fires caused by solar panels are extremely rare, and most of these are due to improper installation by inexperienced installers.
That said, here are some important precautions to take in order to minimize fire risk in your solar installation:
• Use quality components. Almost every documented case of fire caused by defective solar panels has occurred in cheap, off-brand equipment.
• Use an experienced installer. A competent installer will make sure all electrical connections are properly installed and insulated to minimize fire risk.
• Route cables properly. Appropriate sized electrical cables should be mounted in closed metal conduits. No loose cables should be present. Cables should be routed outside the building or enclosed in a fireproof duct.
• Protect inverters. Your inverter should be easily accessible, protected from the weather, and kept away from combustible materials. Be sure to leave enough space around it for proper ventilation.
• Inspect regularly. Once or twice a year, a qualified solar inspector should examine the system for faulty connections, rodent damage or other fire hazards.
How can solar panels affect a house fire?
It is perhaps a testament to the safety record of the solar industry that most of the recent concern over solar panels and fires does not have to do with fires caused by panels themselves. Rather, it’s about how solar panels can impact the course of a house fire caused by other sources.
The biggest concerns are that the panels can interfere with firefighters’ access to the roof, including their ability to ventilate the building. Another concern is that the DC current running from panels to inverter doesn’t get shut off when firefighters shut off the electricity to the house. This can lead to risk of shock, and can interfere with attempts to douse the flames.
Here are some tips for minimizing risk in case of fire in a home equipped with solar panels:
• Label your system. Mark each component clearly, and include disconnect instructions on the main service panel. Don’t forget to mark live cable every 10 feet or so. Firefighters carry equipment to identify live wires, but it usually doesn’t register DC current.
• Install a rooftop shutoff switch. This will allow instant shutoff of DC current running from the panels to the inverter.
• Leave space around the panels. There should be sufficient room for firefighters and inspectors to navigate between them.
• Leave room for ventilation. In case of fire, firefighters will need to open up a section of roof. Make sure they have enough space to do this.
• Inform your local fire department. Give them a set of plans and make sure they have instructions for how to deal with your solar panels in an emergency.
As with any high-voltage electrical equipment, it’s wise to take precautions to protect against fire when installing solar. However, it’s important to note that the solar industry as a whole has an excellent safety record. The vast majority of solar installations never pose a problem. And by following fire safety best practices, you can achieve the safest system possible.
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