Research and analysis

Fire incidents involving solar panels

Study on fires involving solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Documents

Fire and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems: literature review

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Fire and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems: investigations and evidence (interim report)

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Fire and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems: recommendations for the photovoltaic industry

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Fire and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems: recommendations for the fire and rescue services

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Details

This 3-year study by the BRE (Building Research Establishment) explored fires involving solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

The study includes:

  • a review of historical incidents
  • relevant literature
  • standards
  • training

The incidence of such fires is very low, but the study makes a number of recommendations to reduce risks. These include improvements to installation practices and to the way the fire and rescue services deal with such fires.

Updates to this page

Published 20 July 2017
Last updated 19 March 2019 + show all updates
  1. Fire and solar PV systems: investigations and evidence: final report added.

  2. First published.

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