Well-made photovoltaics rarely burn on the roof. According to the Fraunhofer ISE institute, only 0.006 percent photovoltaics mounted on the roof causes a house fire. The main reason for a photovoltaic fire is not the technology itself, but installation errors and those occurring during the use and maintenance of the installation.
- If, after a violent storm, disturbing faults appear, let’s check the photovoltaic installation, even if, according to the law, we still have time for another inspection.
- The most common causes of photovoltaic failures include incorrect installation of cables and incorrect selection of installation elements.
Photovoltaic panels produce direct current (DC), which is then changed into alternating current (AC), which flows in household sockets. Due to the nature of constant voltage, faults can be very dangerous for residents. - Photovoltaic fires constitute only a fraction of all incidents recorded by the fire brigade, so the risk is not high. However, any damage or irregularities in the operation of the panels may result in the failure of the home installation and pose a threat to household members.
- The risk of fire is reduced when you rely on good quality photovoltaic system components and a proven and certified team of installers.
There are over 1.4 million photovoltaic micro-installations connected to the grid. Photovoltaics, like other renewable energy installations, are exposed to faults and failures such as overheating, damage, overvoltages, and in extreme cases even fires. Although starting a fire is very rare, you must remember to take precautions.
How often do photovoltaic installations catch fire?
If you believe the statistics, photovoltaic systems burn just like other household electrical systems. Photovoltaic installations are therefore no more dangerous than conventional electrical installations.
The risk of fire is reduced when you rely on good quality photovoltaic system components and a proven and certified team of installers.
The problem often begins when the installation is properly installed. As a fire service, we often see photovoltaic systems being installed on the roof and then often building a fire wall, especially in areas that were previously used for agricultural production.
Photovoltaic installations cannot be turned off during a fire
How do rooftop solar systems burn out uncontrollably?
According to experts, photovoltaic installations cannot simply be turned off. As long as light falls on the modules, they produce electricity. Even if the alternating current side is turned off, i.e. the inverter is disconnected, this does not apply to the part of the installation responsible for producing direct current.
The voltage from the modules to the disconnector remains unchanged. Even if the plug connection becomes loose, this does not always disrupt the current flow. If it were of inferior quality or incorrectly installed, an arc could form which, in the worst case scenario, could immediately cause a fire.
Short-term, high voltage spikes can cause overvoltages. They occur, among others: due to overloaded sockets or cords, damaged cables or power outages. As a result, devices connected to the installation may fail, or even a fire may occur.
The most common causes of photovoltaic failures include incorrect installation of cables and incorrect selection of installation elements.
For example, if connectors from different manufacturers are used, this may lead to the creation of the so-called electric arc, i.e. a continuous discharge of high-intensity electricity, which is very dangerous.
Photovoltaic fires constitute only a fraction of all incidents recorded by the fire brigade, so the risk is not high. However, any damage or irregularities in the operation of the panels may result in the failure of the home installation and pose a threat to household members.
The most common causes of fires in photovoltaic installations
One third of fires are caused by photovoltaic components themselves, another third by planning errors, and the last one by assembly errors.
Improperly designed or prematurely worn contacts are the most common risk points in components. These include modular junction boxes, connectors and contacts in collector boxes and inverters.
In the long run, they lead to overheating and ultimately to burns or arcing.
Many faults can be prevented – just a basic and regular inspection of protection devices, supporting structures, photovoltaic module terminals, AC/DC plug and screw connections.
In this case, it is worth following not only the requirements of regulations or the manufacturer, but also performing an inspection after the first year of using the panels. It is also crucial to use the services of proven contractors who have a UDT certificate for photovoltaic installations.
Mistakes often occur when selecting protection: using the wrong type of surge arrester or non-original, lower-quality solutions that are not effective.
First of all, we should never be guided by the desire to reduce expenses, because this usually comes at the expense of safety. Unfortunately, periodic inspections of installations are often neglected by home owners. It must be remembered that, despite the inconvenience, such inspections primarily serve the safety of household members and minimize the risk of failure. If, for example, after a violent storm, disturbing faults appear, let’s check the installation, even if, according to the law, we still have time for another inspection – sums up Bartłomiej Jaworski, Eaton expert.
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