Industry News

Department of Energy Announces the American Made Solar Prize

The American-Made Solar Prize (Solar Prize) is a $3 million prize competition designed to revitalize U.S. solar manufacturing through a series of contests and the development of a diverse and powerful support network that leverages National Laboratories, energy incubators, and other resources across the country. The competition enables the rapid development of innovative solar solutions by providing resources and support to entrepreneurs as they transform concepts into early-stage prototypes ready for industry testing. By tapping into the nation’s unparalleled innovation ecosystem and America’s competitive spirit, this competition helps to reenergize American energy innovation and supports the growth of U.S. manufacturing.
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Solar Fires – DC Arc Faults

The temperature of an electrical arc depends on a number of factors, such as the level of current flow, but on a typical PV system, it is easily hot enough to melt glass, copper and aluminum, and to initiate the combustion of surrounding materials.
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 Fire Safety & Solar

Fire safety concerns in the solar industry are generally of three types:

  • Concern that the solar product itself will cause a fire. This is extremely rare, but may occur as a result of improper connections to the inverter. These types of concerns are addressed by product standards, which ensure product safety.
  • Concern regarding the impact of a pre-existing fire on a building containing solar products, both to the building and to the solar products. The arrangement of a solar product on a building may affect the impact of a pre-existing fire, by impacting the solar product’s reaction to a fire, and impacting the ability of firefighters to combat the fire. Product standards, building codes, and training of firefighters are used to address these concerns.
  • Concern regarding the safety of firefighters when addressing a fire involving solar products. The presence of solar products may influence the methods used to combat a fire. Product standards, building codes, and training of firefighters are used to address these concerns.

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Walmart Sues Tesla Over ‘Gross Negligence’ Leading To Solar Fires

Walmart has filed a lawsuit against Tesla in relation to several fires at the retail corporation’s solar facilities over the years…
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Firefighters Endangered by Solar Panels

As private homes and businesses across the country join the “green” movement by adding solar panels to supplement their energy systems, fire departments are finding that the devices represent a series of dangerous unintended consequences in fighting structure fires.
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Fire Safety of Solar Photovoltaic Systems in Australia

Solar PV systems contribute to an increase in the probability of a fire occurring, primarily due to electrical risks. Through collaboration with the Alternative Technology Association, fire services personnel, solar PV installers, and other regulatory organisations, we identified fire risks associated with solar PV systems and investigated how the presence of solar PV systems can affect homeowners. An informational guide was produced for homeowners to raise public awareness and provide suggestions to mitigate fire risks associated with solar PV installations.

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BREAKING: SolarWorld recalls PV modules with Amphenol connectors.

The German/American PV maker has quarantined more than 60,000 PV modules in its inventory as well as recalling tens of thousands more, with a promise to replace the connectors.
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Bosch Solar voluntarily recalls 28,000 solar panels

The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission partnered with the California company to recall PV modules that could overheat and catch fire, though no incidents or injuries have been reported.
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Albuquerque to install over $25 million worth of solar on city buildings

The announcement builds on Albuquerque’s commitment to get 25% of its energy from solar by 2025.
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