SOLAR PV is central to the UK’s clean energy goals, and it is encouraging to see uptake grow: installations exceeded two million across the UK as of May 2026. Overall risk remains low, but recent QBE Insurance statistics show commercial solar panel fires rose 46% between 2024 and 2025, from 33 to 48. Fires at industrial properties increased by 133%, from six to 14.

Residential buildings posed the greatest risk, with 102 solar panel fires in 2025 compared with 84 in 2024, and the introduction of plug-in solar panels in England, Scotland and Wales has prompted further safety concerns. The technology itself is safe. The threat comes from low-cost tenders and improper installation practices that undermine the integrity of these assets.

Where the problems lie

Panels rarely ignite spontaneously. Ignition almost always comes from the secondary direct current (DC) infrastructure on the roof. Freedom of Information data for 2025 shows DC cabling and connectors were the top root cause of fires, with 49 incidents attributed to them. Typical failures include mixing incompatible connector brands and using the wrong crimping tools. DC isolators and inverters are another source, usually because of water ingress, poor specification or mounting on flammable surfaces.

Our analysis shows most failures stem from installer errors during construction rather than manufacturing defects. That makes experienced, knowledgeable installers and consultants essential for any solar project.

Reducing the risk

Many of these risks can be prevented from becoming fires through sound engineering and meeting expected standards. At the design stage, thorough checks of the roof substrate are essential to make sure panels are not located on flammable material. Where one area needs to be avoided, a buffer zone can be put around it to keep it clear. As with any construction project, structural sign-off is needed to confirm the panels can be mounted safely.

In the cabling, module-level power electronics (MLPE) or DC optimisers, together with built-in inverter isolation, allow high voltages to be de-energised safely in an emergency.

All designs and installations must also comply strictly with solar standards, including the Joint Code of Practice RC62, Recommendations for Fire Safety with PV Panel Installations, the Microgeneration Certification Scheme standard MIS 3002 for commercial systems, and the Institution of Engineering and Technology code of practice on electrical equipment regulation and safety. Making sure your installer understands these standards is critical, and is a minimum expectation for many insurers.

Ending the ‘fit and forget’ mindset

Commercial solar arrays are live DC generators, handling vast amounts of energy and often exposed to extreme weather. They are not zero-maintenance assets, and they need careful treatment to keep best practice intact for optimum safety and insurability.

I recommend annual visual surveys and, in some cases, thermographic drone surveys to detect hotspots or loose connections before an incident occurs. Routine checks should also allow for hazards such as thermal expansion, bird nesting and debris build-up.

Maintenance that goes beyond the basic expectation gives peace of mind that the building is safe and helps ensure compliance with insurer underwriting requirements. It is important to know exactly what those requirements are, because some go beyond the standards alone.

The value of partners

Doing things correctly adds minimal capital cost compared with the catastrophic expense of a fire, whether that is injury or loss of life, business disruption or uninsured loss.

True energy resilience means working with reputable consultants and accredited installers who put engineering rigour, long-term safety and ongoing asset management first.

For more information, visit https://ennovus.co.uk/