However, recent fire incidents serve as an important reminder that every sustainability initiative must be considered through a broader risk management lens, including fire safety.
Recent headlines have linked solar panels to fires at sites including Malton, Norton & District Hospital, schools in Suffolk, an Ikea store in London and a maternity ward in Bristol. While such incidents remain relatively rare compared to the millions of solar installations across the UK, they highlight the importance of making sure that systems are designed, installed and maintained correctly.
The challenge, according to industry experts, is that some solar installations are treated as a "fit and forget" solution. In reality, solar panels require ongoing inspection and maintenance. Exposure to weather, wildlife and ageing components can all affect performance and safety over time. Electrical faults, incompatible wiring and poor-quality installations have been identified as potential causes of panel-related fires, with loose connections creating dangerous electrical arcing.
There are also wider fire safety implications to consider. Research commissioned by the government has found that solar panels can alter the way roofs perform during a fire by trapping heat and potentially accelerating fire spread beneath panel arrays. For firefighters, solar panels present additional challenges because they continue generating electricity whenever exposed to daylight, creating an ongoing electrical hazard during emergency response.
As a fire safety consultant, I fully support the transition to renewable energy. Sustainability and safety should not be viewed as competing priorities. Instead, they must go hand in hand. Every carbon-reduction project should be accompanied by a thorough fire risk assessment, robust maintenance programme and competent installation standards.
The drive towards a greener future is essential, but these incidents remind us that introducing new technologies can also introduce new risks. The key is not to avoid innovation, but to make sure that sustainability measures are implemented with fire safety firmly built into the conversation from the very start.