Solar panel fires increasing at more than double the rate of installations

New research from global business insurer QBE reveals the rate of solar panel fires is rising faster than the rate of installations, with fires up 133% over four years to the end of 2025, compared to a 52% increase in solar panel installations.  

The data collected by QBE from Freedom of Information (FOI) requests made to UK fire services in February 2026 shows that UK fire services attended 212 fires involving solar panels in 2025, more than double the 91 recorded in 2022.  

Sources: QBE FOI (2026) for fires and UK Government Solar Photovoltaic Statistics for installations

The findings emerge as the UK's solar panel revolution continues to accelerate. In March 2026, installations surpassed two million for the first time. ¹ As of May 2026, there were 2,047,225 solar panel installations across the UK ².

Adrian Simmonds, Risk Manager at QBE Insurance said: "Solar energy is a key component to the UK's clean energy future and QBE fully supports its rapid expansion, but safety and risk mitigation must be the priority. Our research shows that fires are rising at more than double the rate of installations, with DC cabling and connectors as the leading cause, and fires are often spreading to the wider building. It is clear installation quality and fire safety are not keeping pace with the speed of deployment. Safe solar panel installation and maintenance are essential to reducing the number of fires."

QBE’s research shows the majority of incidents involving a solar panel took place in residential buildings, with 102 fires in 2025. This comes at a time when the UK government’s Future Homes Standard mandates all new-build domestic properties to include onsite renewable energy generation from March 2028 ³. As more households are expected to adopt the use of ‘plug-in’ solar panels, QBE urges homeowners to ensure all solar panels are installed safely, kept well-ventilated and remain accessible in an emergency ⁴.

Solar panel fires taking place at commercial properties saw a particularly sharp rise, from 33 fires in 2024 to 48 fires in 2025, a 46% increase. Industrial buildings also saw a notable jump, from six fires in 2024 to 14 fires in 2025, a 133% increase.  

Source: QBE FOI (April 2026)

The rise in commercial and industrial property fires comes as the solar sector is poised for significant growth. The government's Solar Roadmap places commercial and industrial rooftop solar at the heart of the UK's Clean Power 2030 mission, with plans to accelerate installations across warehouses, retail spaces and industrial buildings ⁵.

QBE welcomes this opportunity for renewable energy sources but warns that precautions are needed to mitigate fire risks on large, often complex buildings. Robust design, cabling, and isolation systems can help prevent and control fires, protecting property and business continuity ⁶.

The FOI data reveals that DC cabling and connectors are the leading cause of fires in 2025, accounting for 49 fires, almost doubling from 26 in 2024, followed by the solar panel itself (36), the battery bank (23) and the inverter (19). 

Simmonds continued: "The rise in fires linked to DC cabling and connectors points directly to installation quality. Loose connections, damaged wires and faulty wiring lead to arc faults and other electrical failures. Every solar panel system, whether on a home, warehouse or solar farm, should be installed using MCS accredited installers and consistently maintained."

The rapid adoption of lithium-ion batteries in solar panels is a continuing concern. Lithium-ion battery fires cause thermal runaway, a chemical reaction where batteries start to irreversibly overheat, usually due to impact damage, overcharging or overheating. Thermal runaway is unpredictable and ignites fires that spread faster and take longer to tackle than ordinary combustion, requiring up to 10 times more water to contain than a conventional fire, increasing the risk of injury and damage to property ⁷.

Recent research from QBE also revealed that UK fire brigades tackle a lithium-ion battery fire once every five hours in 2025 ⁸. As battery storage becomes an increasingly common feature of solar installations, the risk of severe, fast-spreading fires is likely to grow. 

Solar panel fires are not only becoming more frequent, but more severe. The number of fires spreading beyond the solar installation nearly tripled between 2022 and 2025, rising from 33 to 88.  

Simmonds added: "Battery storage is now commonplace in new solar systems, but installation location is a critical and often overlooked risk factor. Units placed in confined or hard-to-access spaces, combined with infrequent inspection, create the conditions for fires that are both more likely and harder to contain."

QBE recommends that homeowners and businesses: 

• Use certified solar panel installers (MCS-accredited) 
• Conduct annual inspections and clean solar panels to prevent overheating or debris buildup 
• Check that firefighter's switches and arc-fault detection systems are correctly installed and accessible 
• Avoid mounting solar panels on combustible roofs or ensure proper separation and fire-resistant barriers 
• Pay particular attention to DC cabling and connector quality at commissioning and during annual service visits 
• Ensure battery storage units are installed in well-ventilated, unobstructed locations that remain accessible for inspection and emergency response 
• Inspect installations after extreme weather events such as high winds, hail or flooding 

Detailed recommendations for construction professionals, property owners and installers are available in QBE's Solar Panel Installation Risk Management Guidance at: Solar panel installation 2025 - QBE European Operations