Are Fires a Risk for Solar Farms and Solar Roofs?
While solar energy is a clean and renewable solution, both solar farms and residential or commercial solar roofs can pose a fire risk under certain conditions. Though rare, fire incidents have occurred due to electrical faults, defective components, and poor installation. Understanding these risks is crucial to ensuring safety and long-term performance of solar energy systems.
What Causes Fires in Solar Systems?
Whether installed on rooftops or in large-scale ground-mounted farms, the main fire risks include:
- Electrical arcing: Caused by loose or corroded connections, leading to sparks and heat buildup.
- Overheating inverters: Inverters convert DC to AC power and can fail if poorly ventilated or overworked.
- Poor installation: Uncertified installers may not follow code, leading to high fire risk.
- Panel defects: Manufacturing flaws can cause hotspots or short circuits over time.
- Wildlife damage: Squirrels and rodents chewing wires are a leading rooftop risk.
Solar Farms vs. Solar Roofs: What’s the Difference in Risk?
Solar Farms are typically located in open areas with ample space, making fire detection and containment easier. Fires are more likely to result from inverter stations or dry vegetation near panel rows.
Solar Roofs are installed on homes or buildings, often closer to flammable structures like attics or wood framing. Rooftop systems may pose higher risks if not properly installed or maintained, especially in older homes without modern fire-resistant materials.
How Common Are Fires from Solar Panels?
Fires caused by solar systems are extremely rare. According to a study by TÜV Rheinland, the chance of a solar fire is approximately 0.006% per year. In the U.S., reports of fires are scattered but still statistically insignificant given the millions of systems installed.
Notable Fire Incidents
- Walmart Roof Fires (2018): Multiple rooftop fires occurred at U.S. Walmart stores, allegedly caused by poorly installed solar systems.
- California Solar Farm (2023): A utility-scale fire near Fresno was triggered by an inverter failure during peak heat.
- Residential Fires: Homeowners have reported attic fires traced back to arc faults in rooftop systems, often due to faulty wiring or age.
How Solar Technology Prevents Fires
Modern solar systems are built with advanced safety features to prevent fires, including:
- Arc fault detection (AFCI): Shuts down the system at the first sign of dangerous arcing.
- Rapid shutdown compliance: U.S. NEC code now requires systems to power down quickly in emergencies.
- Monitoring systems: Track voltage and temperature changes in real-time.
- UL certification: Ensures panels, inverters, and batteries meet national safety standards.
Fire Prevention Tips for Homeowners and Operators
- Hire certified and licensed installers familiar with code compliance.
- Schedule regular inspections and maintenance.
- Keep rooftop and ground-mounted systems clear of debris and vegetation.
- Use fire-resistant mounting systems and wiring conduits, especially in wildfire-prone regions.
Where Fires Are Most Likely to Occur
Fires are more likely in wildfire-prone zones like California, Arizona, and Australia. For solar farms, the greatest risks are dry brush and high winds. For solar roofs, attic proximity and wildlife intrusion increase risk. Visit our fire risk map to view high-risk solar regions.
Conclusion: Solar Remains a Safe Investment
Despite a few headline-making incidents, solar energy remains one of the safest and most reliable energy sources. With proper installation and safety measures, both solar farms and solar roofs can operate for decades with minimal risk of fire. As technology evolves, so does our ability to detect, prevent, and respond to rare fire events.