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.