Building fires with solar panels mapped for the first time
TNO, NIPV, and NEN have mapped out for the first time how many building fires between 2022 and 2023 involved a solar energy system. Out of 10,000 building fires during this period, 152 cases involved buildings equipped with solar energy systems (less than 2%). Although the three organizations are satisfied with this initial knowledge base, they emphasize the need to collect data over a longer period before drawing conclusions.
Need for better monitoring of solar panel fire safety
In recent years, the number of solar panel installations on buildings has increased significantly. With the growing popularity of solar energy systems, concerns about fire risks have also risen. However, it is challenging to determine whether the solar panels were the cause of the fire and under what circumstances the fire started.
Until 2023, building fires involving solar energy systems were not systematically recorded. This study provides a foundation for gaining more insight into building fires with solar energy systems and developing a test method for the impact of these systems on roofs.
Building fires further investigated
Out of 10,000 building fires between 2022 and 2023, there were 152 cases that involved buildings equipped with solar energy systems (less than 2%). Of these 152 fires, 70 could be further investigated with the help of the Fire Investigation Teams of the safety regions.
The research shows that – in these 70 cases - the cause of the fire was almost as often related to the solar energy system as it was not: in 30 fires, it was established that the fire originated in the solar energy system. In 29 cases, it was known that the system was not the cause, and in 11 cases, the cause was unknown.
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Improve monitoring and fire safety regulations.
Future trends
Experts from NIPV (Netherlands Institute for Public Safety), NEN (Royal Netherlands Standardization Institute), and TNO emphasize that various developments will influence potential fire incidents in the coming years.
For example, the first generation of solar panels is now reaching the end of their lifespan and may be less safe. Additionally, the enormous demand for solar energy systems has led to an increase in installation companies, some of which do not fully comply with standards.
Limited data
This research is a first step towards establishing a knowledge base but contains limited data. Only fires where the fire department intervened and where information could be obtained through the Fire Investigation Teams of the safety regions were included. Additionally, it was not possible to use data from insurance companies. To gain better insight into the extent of fire risks, the organizations advocate for (financial) resources to better monitor and analyze fire incidents over the next four years.
In this research, commissioned by the Ministry of Climate & Green Growth (KGG), NIPV set up the national database for building fires and collected data. TNO had a coordinating role and contributed to data collection and analysis of fires. Furthermore, NEN contributed by conducting various fire tests and developing a European test method.
Want to know more?
Top Sector Energy is organising a webinar on this research on 2 December.
Contact us
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Lenneke Slooff-Hoek
Functie:Program coordinator-
Standplaats:Petten
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Email:Email Lenneke
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