Fire of photovoltaic installations – how to minimize its risk?

In recent years, photovoltaic panels have been gaining increasing popularity in Poland. It’s not hard to see why – in addition to the fact that the investment will pay off after some time, we gain a bit more independence and contribute to taking care of the environment we live in. Nevertheless, many people considering such an investment wonder what the risk of fire from photovoltaic panels is and what kind of damage we can expect during such an incident. The most common concern turns out to be not only damage to the installation but also to the building, which involves high costs for repairs. For this reason, it is worth learning about the most common causes of fire in panels and how to avoid a fire in photovoltaic installations. 

What is the risk of fire from photovoltaic panels and should we be concerned?

Since photovoltaic installations in Poland are still a relatively new solution, we do not yet have statistics regarding fires involving such solutions. Therefore, when considering the risk of fire from photovoltaic panels, it is worth paying attention to research conducted by TÜV Rheinland in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute, which deals with certifying individual solutions and researching their implementation in the industry. According to the mentioned studies, fires in photovoltaic installations are extremely rare phenomena, with an occurrence frequency that can be measured in one-tenth of a percent. 

To better illustrate the safety of photovoltaic installations, it is also worth familiarizing oneself with the statistics from the Chief Command of the State Fire Service. In 2019, according to the collected data, there were over 150,000 fires in Poland, of which over 30,000 involved residential buildings. As much as 18% of fires in residential buildings resulted from outdated electrical installations, which, despite increasing loads, are not replaced with newer ones. Comparing both cases, fires in photovoltaic installations are extremely rare occurrences, and in most cases, we can very easily minimize their risk. 

See: photovoltaics for home.

Causes of fire in photovoltaic panels – what should we pay special attention to?

Contrary to appearances, the causes of fires in panels rarely result from external factors such as lightning strikes or adverse weather conditions. Most often, the cause turns out to be installation or design errors. For this reason, when considering how to avoid a fire in photovoltaic installations, it is essential to choose a reliable company that will handle both the design and installation. Unfortunately, many people still make the mistake of opting for the services of a photovoltaic company that offers the lowest prices and does not provide guarantees for the installation of modules.

Installation errors, which are among the most common causes of fires in panels, usually involve the improper selection and installation of components such as cables, inverters, or electrical protections. Moreover, careless installation, meaning the lack of proper tightening of all screws, ensuring grounding, or careless planning and routing of wires, also carries a high risk. Therefore, most fires can be avoided by choosing a company that installs photovoltaic modules and stands out for its experience, knowledge, and diligence during the work performed.

Regular maintenance as a way to minimize the risk of fire in panels 

When deciding to invest in photovoltaic panels, we should also remember how important regular maintenance services are. For this reason, when considering how to avoid a fire in photovoltaic installations, it is worth opting for the services of a company that, in addition to installing modules, also handles their maintenance. This way, we gain assurance that such work will be carried out with due diligence and will ensure the efficiency and safety of the entire installation.

See: photovoltaics for businesses.