UK fire services tackle a solar panel fire every two days

New research from global business insurer QBE reveals UK fire services faced a fire involving a solar panel once almost every two days in 2024, marking a 60% increase in the past two years (2022-2024).

Data collected by QBE from Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to UK fire services in August 2025 also reveals fires are rising faster than the rate of installations, which could indicate incorrect installation or maintenance.

 Source: QBE FOI (Aug 2025) & UK Government Solar Photovoltaics Deployment Statistics (Aug 2025)[1]

The findings come as the UK sees record levels of solar panel installations, driven by commercial demand and government net-zero incentives. As of August 2025, there were 1,834,584 solar panels installed across the UK[2].

Adrian Simmonds, practice leader for property risk solutions at QBE Insurance says: “Solar technology is an essential part of the UK’s clean energy transition, but the rapid pace of deployment is cause for concern for risk management. Our analysis shows fires involving solar panel fires have risen at twice the rate of new installations over the past two years. Safe solar panel installation and maintenance are essential to reducing fires.”

Source: QBE FOI (Aug 2025) & UK Government Solar Photovoltaics Deployment Statistics (Aug 2025)

Adrian Simmonds continues: “We strongly encourage property owners to carry out formal risk assessments, engage certified installers, and ensure regular inspections and cleaning. These simple steps can significantly reduce the chance of fire.”

QBE’s research also reveals the majority of incidents involving a solar panel took place in residential buildings.

Source: QBE FOI (Aug 2025)

Notably, only 37 fire services out of the 49 services nationally were able to provide data, suggesting the number of solar panel fires is actually much higher than reported. 

Improper installation is a frequent cause, with loose connections, damaged wires, or faulty wiring leading to arc faults or other electrical issues. Other factors include component defects, high current, and external factors such as moisture, extreme weather, and dirt or foliage on the panels. 

The FoI data suggests that the majority of fires originate in the inverter or on the solar panels themselves.

 Source: QBE FOI (Aug 2025)

The inverter is the hardest-working component in a solar panel system, prone to failure if installed incorrectly or poorly maintained. It generates significant heat, meaning poor ventilation, dust build-up, or blocked cooling systems can quickly elevate fire risks[3]. Solar panel inverters can be positioned indoors and outdoors, but there should be no obstruction, good ventilation and timely replacement.

Under the Clean Power Action Plan, the UK aims to generate enough clean electricity to meet its annual demand by 2030, accelerating deployment from 18 GW to 45-47 GW[4].  In particular, the plan aims to increase rooftop capacity on commercial buildings, warehouses and industrial buildings. The UK’s 20% largest warehouses alone can provide 75 million square metres of roof space, which is estimated to support around 15GW of rooftop solar capacity[5].

QBE welcomes this opportunity for cleaner energy 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].

A growing concern is also the rapid adoption of lithium-ion batteries in new solar installations.

Simmonds says: “Most new domestic and commercial systems now include battery storage, introducing additional fire risks when units are installed in lofts, airing cupboards or upper-floor spaces that are difficult to access in an emergency. Combined with limited inspection and cleaning, these installations increase the likelihood and potential severity of fires.”

In 2024, QBE revealed that UK fire services tended to a lithium-ion battery fire once every three days (1,330 in total)[7]. QBE expects that as lithium-ion battery use expands, battery units could soon become a leading source of fires linked to solar panel systems.

Simmonds noted that extreme weather conditions could further exacerbate these risks. “Roofs and panels should be inspected after storms or high winds, as even minor dislodgement or debris can increase fire risk.”

Systems are typically designed to withstand speeds of up to 120 miles per hour, yet recent storms such as Storm Ashley have exceeded this threshold[8]. High winds can uplift panels or expose cabling, while hail, dust and prolonged heat can damage surfaces and insulation. Property owners should therefore apply “one-in-100-year” criteria at the design stage and carry out roof inspections following major storms, hail or flooding.

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 fireman’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
• Inspect installations after extreme weather events such as high winds, hail or flooding