Can my solar panels catch fire?
Can my solar panels catch fire?
Solar PV systems are one of the most effective ways to reduce carbon emissions and cut electricity bills. But as solar becomes more widespread, we keep hearing about a common concern: can my solar panels catch fire?
While solar PV is generally very safe, issues can arise when systems are poorly installed or not properly maintained. Fire risks, electrical faults and falling panels are rare, but they do happen, and we see them regularly when we’re called in to inspect older systems installed by other providers.
What can cause a solar panel fire?
Most of the systems we maintain are safe and working well. But when something is wrong, there are usually a few reasons and they’re often avoidable with regular system checks.
The first is damaged or dirty panels. You might assume dirt or minor cracks only affect performance, but over time they can cause hotspots, where parts of the panel overheat. Left unchecked, these can become a fire risk.
The second is faulty wiring. One of the most serious issues we see is unsecured or degraded cables. As wiring breaks down, it can create higher electrical resistance, leading to overheating and potentially fire. These faults are often hidden, and many clients don’t realise there’s a problem until it’s too late.
The third is poor mounting. We often find panels that have been ballasted but not properly secured in place. These can shift in high winds, which not only risks voiding your roof warranty or causing leaks, but creates a serious health and safety risk if panels fall.
Real-world example:
One of our recent clients, a national storage company, reached out to us after growing concerned about their rooftop solar system. The installation, completed by another company, hadn’t been inspected for years.
Our operations & maintenance (O&M) team carried out a full system health check. We uncovered exposed cabling, build-up of dirt across panels, and mounting issues that could have developed into a major safety risk.
We quickly resolved the faults, cleaned the system, and put a regular inspection schedule in place. The site is now running safely and efficiently, and is back on track to meet its energy and carbon goals.
Read the full case study here.
How to make sure your solar panels are safe?
So, how can you make sure your system doesn’t develop a fire risk?
The most important step is regular professional maintenance. Having your solar PV system inspected by a specialist team at least once a year will help catch problems early, before they become dangerous or expensive to fix.
Unlike many companies in the sector, Carbon3’s O&M team doesn’t install solar systems, they focus purely on maintaining them. That means our O&M team is not tied up with large installation projects and can respond quickly to faults, callouts and scheduled maintenance. If your system was installed by someone else, we can still help.
We work across the UK with commercial buildings, social landlords, local authorities and the public sector, supporting them with clear reporting, fast response times, and ongoing compliance.
If it’s been a while since your system was checked, or you’ve noticed a performance drop, don’t wait for a minor issue to become a serious risk.
Our specialist solar PV maintenance team is here to help you stay safe and stay compliant.
Contact us for a system health check today.
Can my solar panels catch fire?
Solar PV systems are one of the most effective ways to reduce carbon emissions and cut electricity bills. But as solar becomes more widespread, we keep hearing about a common concern: can my solar panels catch fire?
While solar PV is generally very safe, issues can arise when systems are poorly installed or not properly maintained. Fire risks, electrical faults and falling panels are rare, but they do happen, and we see them regularly when we’re called in to inspect older systems installed by other providers.
What can cause a solar panel fire?
Most of the systems we maintain are safe and working well. But when something is wrong, there are usually a few reasons and they’re often avoidable with regular system checks.
The first is damaged or dirty panels. You might assume dirt or minor cracks only affect performance, but over time they can cause hotspots, where parts of the panel overheat. Left unchecked, these can become a fire risk.
The second is faulty wiring. One of the most serious issues we see is unsecured or degraded cables. As wiring breaks down, it can create higher electrical resistance, leading to overheating and potentially fire. These faults are often hidden, and many clients don’t realise there’s a problem until it’s too late.
The third is poor mounting. We often find panels that have been ballasted but not properly secured in place. These can shift in high winds, which not only risks voiding your roof warranty or causing leaks, but creates a serious health and safety risk if panels fall.
Real-world example:
One of our recent clients, a national storage company, reached out to us after growing concerned about their rooftop solar system. The installation, completed by another company, hadn’t been inspected for years.
Our operations & maintenance (O&M) team carried out a full system health check. We uncovered exposed cabling, build-up of dirt across panels, and mounting issues that could have developed into a major safety risk.
We quickly resolved the faults, cleaned the system, and put a regular inspection schedule in place. The site is now running safely and efficiently, and is back on track to meet its energy and carbon goals.
Read the full case study here.
How to make sure your solar panels are safe?
So, how can you make sure your system doesn’t develop a fire risk?
The most important step is regular professional maintenance. Having your solar PV system inspected by a specialist team at least once a year will help catch problems early, before they become dangerous or expensive to fix.
Unlike many companies in the sector, Carbon3’s O&M team doesn’t install solar systems, they focus purely on maintaining them. That means our O&M team is not tied up with large installation projects and can respond quickly to faults, callouts and scheduled maintenance. If your system was installed by someone else, we can still help.
We work across the UK with commercial buildings, social landlords, local authorities and the public sector, supporting them with clear reporting, fast response times, and ongoing compliance.
If it’s been a while since your system was checked, or you’ve noticed a performance drop, don’t wait for a minor issue to become a serious risk.
Our specialist solar PV maintenance team is here to help you stay safe and stay compliant.
Contact us for a system health check today.