Solar Fire Safety
As solar arrays are installed in communities, one concern is the possibility of fires. Most of the materials in solar panels are not flammable. The flammable parts, including the polymer outer layers, other plastic parts, and wiring insulation, can't support a significant fire and heat from a small flame cannot ignite a solar panel. Even a wildfire in grass beneath a 3-acre array in California did not ignite the panels mounted on fixed-tilt racks just above the grass.
However, fires from a variety of causes at facilities where solar arrays are installed do happen. With nearly 2 million solar installations across the United States, the issue of fire safety is a growing concern. Codes and professional training have been developed to meet this concern. Photovoltaic (PV) solar systems must be properly installed by qualified professionals in compliance with current safety codes and the Solar Training and Education for Professionals (STEP) program of the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) has provided tools to more than 10,000 firefighters and fire code officials to manage solar equipment as they put out fires.
Effective firefighting on the site of solar installations requires two things.
- First, the fire department must know that there is a solar system on the property, either through communication from the owner or through safety labeling, and
- Second, firefighters must know how to de-electrify the site.
When firefighters arrive at the scene of a fire, they must locate and identify the solar system on the premises, shut it down safely, watch for hazards as they extinguish the flames, and make sure the scene is safe when they leave. The National Electric Code, which governs the installation of all components of the solar panels, connections, inverters, battery storage, and connection to the grid, includes requirements that make it easier for first responders to turn off a solar energy system safely and effectively. Firefighters don't need special equipment to fight fires at a solar array but they do need specialized training. This training is available for free online for your local fire department through IREC (Clean Energy Resources and Training).
For more detailed information, the National Electric Code (NEC) devotes two articles to addressing solar PV systems: Article 690 (Solar Electric Systems) and Article 705 (Interconnected Electrical Power Production Sources). These articles are key to the safe installation and operation of photovoltaic (PV) systems.
