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Solar · Maintenance

Are solar panels a fire risk, and what should be inspected?

Short answer

Fires are rare, about 0.01% of UK installations in the BRE investigation, but most PV-caused fires started in DC isolators and connectors, usually due to poor installation or water ingress. A periodic inspection should check isolators, connectors, cable routes and roof penetrations, and a thermal image can spot overheating joints.

Last checked 24 September 2026 · 1 source

In more detail

  • BRE (2018): 80 incidents investigated, ~0.01% of UK installations; 58 caused by PV, 16 involving PV but not caused by it, 6 unknown; 38 serious fires.
  • Components implicated (probable+possible): DC isolators 30, DC connectors 12, inverters 9, DC cables 5, modules 5.
  • Root causes (probable): poor installation 21, system design 6, faulty product 3, unknown 28.
  • DC isolator failures: water ingress (e.g. upward-facing glands on exposed walls), under-rated isolators, AC-designed products used on DC, loose terminals.
  • Connector arcing: mismatched brands of MC4-type connectors, poor crimps, moisture.
  • Homeowner action: look (do not touch) for scorch marks, melted plastic, condensation inside isolator windows, cables rubbing on tiles; smell of burning = switch off at AC isolator/consumer unit and call an engineer.

The facts, dated

  1. 01
    BRE investigated 80 PV-related fire incidents (~0.01% of UK installations) — 80 incidents

    market_data · UK · checked 24 September 2026 · GOV.UK

  2. 02
    DC isolators were the component most often implicated (26 probable + 2 possible cases) — 30 cases

    market_data · UK · checked 24 September 2026 · GOV.UK

  3. 03
    Poor installation was the probable root cause in 21 incidents — 21 incidents

    market_data · UK · checked 24 September 2026 · GOV.UK

What we saw in the field

Supports installer view that problems come from bodged installs rather than the technology itself.

Sources

Last checked: 24 September 2026