BRE industry network focuses on solar PV systems fire safety

A group of solar PV and component manufacturers, fire experts and solar safety solution providers underpins the network, which is chaired by the BRE. The Fire Industry Association, the MCS Company, the CGM Group UK, Enphase Energy, IMO Precision Controls, PVStop, SolarEdge Technologies, ArcBox (a division of Viridian Solar) and Solar Energy UK are all contributing towards the project.

At present, there’s a lack of evidence-based information on how often fires involve solar panel systems, which parts of the system may be responsible for fire episodes or how these fires typically develop. The research will make use of reliable data sources and analyse them to identify the causes and frequency of solar PV fires. Any lack of data has implications for customer reassurance on the safety of these systems and designing safer installations.

PV-FIN contributors will work to identify the specific causes and consequences of solar PV-related fires and propose a selection of recommendations and solutions designed to reduce the risk in times ahead.

There will be a focus on three main areas to inform the PV-FIN’s recommendations:

*collecting reliable data on PV systems fire incidents across residential, commercial, industrial and utility installations in the UK

*engaging stakeholders (including Fire and Rescue Services, manufacturers, installers and researchers) to address current knowledge gaps

*analysing trends to identify causes and patterns of solar PV fires in the UK

Critical element

Solar PV is a critical element of the UK’s green transition. As such, there’s an increasing need for up-to-date and reliable data on the fire risk posed by these systems in order to promote their take-up among homeowners, businesses and the public sector alike.

The group will deliver the project within 12 months. All of the associated data will be summarised into a publicly available research paper detailing the findings and resulting recommendations.

Raman Chagger CEng FIET, principal consultant at the BRE specialising in fire safety, commented: “Making solar PV systems safer is essential if we are to encourage their adoption and, ultimately, make the successful transition to clean energy. We don’t know the extent to which fires occur within solar PV systems and how this could have a potential knock-on effect on UK solar deployment.”

Chagger continued: “Supported by the collective expertise and data-led approach of the group, we will identify potential solutions to this challenge. These could involve updates to public and industry guidance, product improvements or revised standards and Codes of Practice alongside areas for further research in the future.”

Practitioners harbouring data that may support this work are invited to contact the PV-FIN steering group via e-mail at [email protected]

*Further information is available online at www.bregroup.com