"Fires linked to rooftop solar panels are rising sharply across the UK, sparking concern among fire services and insurers. New figures show that incidents are growing faster than installations, raising questions about safety oversight in Britain's clean-energy rollout. Experts say that while solar remains safe when properly installed, a surge in rushed or poorly maintained systems is putting homes at risk."
"Experts point to several key causes behind the uptick in fires. Inverters, the devices that convert solar power into electricity for home use, are the most common source of ignition when placed in cramped lofts or unventilated spaces. Lithium-ion batteries, increasingly used for storage, can also pose risks if poorly installed or damaged. Adrian Simmonds, Property Risk Solutions Practice Leader at QBE, says solar power remains crucial to the UK's clean-energy future but the pace of rollout is exposing weak spots in safety and training."
Rooftop solar-related fires in the UK rose from 107 in 2022 to 171 in 2024, with 97 incidents affecting homes. Installations grew by about 29.6% over that period, while early 2025 saw a further 22% increase, adding more than 99,500 systems. Inverters are the most common ignition source when sited in cramped or unventilated spaces. Lithium-ion batteries for storage can pose additional risks if damaged or poorly installed. Rapid rollout, insufficient ventilation and gaps in installer training are exposing safety weaknesses. Most solar fires are preventable through proper installation, ventilation, maintenance and adherence to best practices.
Read at Homebuilding
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]