PV Fire Intelligence Network seeks views on safety of solar PV panels

This research is a key step forward in the PV Fire Intelligence Network’s mission to create a national conversation that will improve the safety of solar PV panels. The responses will help the network to establish reliable data on the causes and consequences of solar PV-related fires and recommend solutions to reduce the risk posed by them in the future.

The research covers topics including work practices, near misses and fire incidents:

*work practices: general installation and maintenance practices across the solar PV industry

*near misses: events that could have resulted in a fire, but were prevented before an incident occurred

*fire incidents: all solar PV-related fire incidents

The online questionnaire will be open until 30 June. Participants are invited to complete only the sections relevant to their expertise and experience. All responses will be treated as confidential to support open and honest input and to help ensure the findings deliver the greatest possible insight and value.

Participants can visit https://www.pvfin.org/ for more information and/or send an e-mail to [email protected]

Identifying the threats

Raman Chagger, principal consultant at the Building Research Establishment  and lead for the PV Fire Intelligence Network, explained: “The results from this questionnaire will enable us to identify the threats and corresponding Best Practice for the fast-evolving solar PV sector.”

Chagger added: “Ensuring safety in solar PV systems is essential if we’re going to encourage their adoption and, ultimately, make the successful transition to clean energy. Participation from industry professionals is essential to achieve this goal.”

The PV Fire Intelligence Network was established last October as a Steering Group of leading organisations to analyse the fire safety of solar PV systems. Solar PV and component manufacturers, fire experts and solar safety solution providers form the network. Members include the MCS Company, the Fire Industry Association, the CGM Group UK, Enphase Energy, IMO Precision Controls, PVStop, SolarEdge Technologies, ArcBox (a division of Viridian Solar) and Solar Energy UK.

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