Research and analysis

Fire incidents involving solar panels

Study on fires involving solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

• From: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
• Published: 20 July 2017
• Last updated: 19 March 2019 — See all updates

Documents

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

PDF, 2.7 MB, 61 pages

Fire and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems: literature review

PDF, 1.19 MB, 93 pages

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

PDF, 2.86 MB, 60 pages

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

PDF, 680 KB, 20 pages

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

PDF, 696 KB, 18 pages

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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.

Published 20 July 2017

Last updated 19 March 2019 + show all updates

1. 19 March 2019

   Fire and solar PV systems: investigations and evidence: final report added.

2. 20 July 2017

   First published.