Social media is awash with headlines like „photovoltaics cause fires”. It's a topic that stirs emotions - and is often deliberately exaggerated. As a company that has installed more than 1,000 installations in Pomerania and services them, we have our opinions based on facts, not headlines.
First the numbers - without them the conversation is pointless
The State Fire Service in Poland does not keep separate statistics on fires caused by photovoltaics. It only records incidents where there was a PV installation in the facility - which does not mean that it was the cause of the fire. This is an important distinction that gets lost in alarmist articles.
|
411 incidents involving PV recorded by the PSP between 2018 and 2021 |
128 cases where the PSP confirmed the link of the fire directly to the PV installation |
<0.05% contribution of PV installations to fire incidents with more than 1.5 million micro-installations |
Sources: Fire Review of the KG PSP, firefighter survey (2022), Globenergia based on data from the KCKS PSP
For perspective: during the 2025/2026 heating season, firefighters intervened with chimney fires more than 12,700 times - that's an average of 50 interventions per day. Meanwhile, fires directly involving PV are a few dozen cases per year nationwide. Statistically, a house with PV is no more likely to catch fire than a house without it.
A key difference that the media is silent about: A high-profile building fire in Ząbki in July 2025 was attributed on social media to PV panels. The PSP confirmed: there was no PV at all on the building involved in the fire. The panic was a few days ahead of the facts.
Where then do PV installation fires come from?
When a fire actually occurs - and it does happen - the causes are well researched. Studies by TÜV Rheinland and the Fraunhofer Institute indicate that more than 70% cases are due to external influences or installation errors. Equipment failure alone accounts for just 17%, inverter failure for 10%.
| Cause of fire in PV installations | Share according to TÜV/PSP | Example from SolLab practice |
|---|---|---|
| Installation errors (MC4 connectors, cable cross sections) | ~40% | Mismatched MC4 connectors from different manufacturers - arcing |
| External factors (lightning, rodents, mechanical damage) | ~30% | Martens chew through cables under panels - short circuit 2 years after installation |
| Hotspots (overheated cells, dirt) | ~13% | Leaves and bird droppings on panels - local overheating up to 200°C |
| Failure of inverter or DC equipment | ~10% | Inverter without CE certificate - spontaneous ignition in electrical cabinet |
| Design errors (poor choice of safeguards) | ~7% | No surge protection on the installation |
Sources: TÜV Rheinland / Fraunhofer ISE, PSP Fire Review, SolLab's own observations from service reviews
What follows from our service practice in Pomerania: Over 14 years we have serviced installations on coastal roofs, where salty air and high winds accelerate the degradation of connectors. The most common problem we detect during inspections is loose or oxidised MC4 connectors - which are invisible without thermal imaging inspection, but can lead to arcing. The second most common is damage by martens, which are particularly active in Pomerania.
Photovoltaics and fire - legal obligations you can't ignore
Many people do not know that the building law imposes specific obligations on owners of PV installations above 6.5 kW:
- Project agreement with a fire protection expert - prior to installation
- Notification to the competent of the district fire marshal on the completion of construction work
- Mandatory DC fire switch (fire safety switch), which cuts off the voltage on the panel side - the main switch does not do this, because the panels generate direct current as long as the sun shines.
⚡ Note - DC voltage does not disappear when power is switched off
Switching off the power supply on the grid side does not switch off the DC voltage on the panel side. Even with the inverter cut off, the cables between the panels and the inverter can have a voltage of 300-900 V DC as long as the sun is shining.
Exception - SolarEdge system with power optimisers: When the mains power is switched off, the DC voltage in the wiring automatically drops below 1 volt - a safe level for humans. Firefighters can climb onto the roof without risk of shock. This is the SafeDC function, certified by IEC 62109. Read more about the SolarEdge system →
How to check if your photovoltaic installation is safe?
Ask yourself a few questions - if you answer „I don't know” to any of them, it's a signal that it's worth ordering a review:
| ✅ | Was the installation installed by a UDT or SEP-certified company? |
| ✅ | Is the inverter CE certified and from an authorised distributor? |
| ✅ | Does the installation have a DC fire circuit breaker (required for >6.5 kW)? |
| ✅ | Has a thermal imaging survey of MC4 fittings been carried out within the last 2 years? |
| ❌ | Is the installation more than 5 years old without any technical inspection? |
| ❌ | Do you see scorch marks, discolouration or smell burning at the inverter? |
| ❌ | Do you know if martens or birds may be nesting under the panels? |
| ❌ | Have the panels not been cleaned for over a year and are showing dirt? |
What to do in the event of a fire - knowledge you hope not to use
- Call 112 - and immediately inform the dispatcher that the building has a photovoltaic installation. Firefighters need to be aware of the presence of DC voltage even before they get on the roof.
- Do not extinguish with water panels or live DC cables - risk of electrocution. If you have a powder extinguisher (min. 4 kg), you can extinguish from a distance of at least 1 metre.
- Walk away from the building - do not attempt to disconnect the installation yourself. Switching off the meter or the main fuse does not cut off the DC voltage between the panels and the inverter.
Extinguishers certified for extinguishing PV installations are available on the market: Stop PV i SOLARSTOP CNBOP-certified. They make it possible to extinguish modules and wiring with voltages up to 1,000 V. It is worth having one on hand, especially if the inverter is located in a garage or boiler room. More about the safety of electrical installations in Poland is published in National Fire Service.
Summary - calm but not carefree
Photovoltaics are safe - the statistics prove it. The risk of fire with a properly installed and serviced installation is marginal: less than 0.05% of installations in Poland had any connection to a fire event. This is less than the risk of fire from an outdated electrical installation or a leaking chimney.
- PV fire risk is marginal when installed by a certified company
- Most common causes: installation errors and external factors - both are detectable during inspection
- Installations >6.5 kW have a legal obligation notification to the Fire Brigade and agreement with the fire officer.
- Thermal imaging inspection every 2-3 years is the most effective prevention
- In case of fire: 112, PV information, do not extinguish with water, do not disconnect by yourself
Technical inspection and thermal imaging of PV installations - Sollab Gdansk
We service photovoltaic installations in Pomerania regardless of who installed them. We check the MC4 connectors, the condition of the inverter, the DC protection and any traces of hot-spots with a thermal imaging camera. After the inspection, you receive a written report with an assessment of the technical condition.
Gdańsk - Gdynia - Sopot - Wejherowo - Kartuzy - Tczew - Pruszcz Gdański - and the entire Pomeranian region
FAQ - frequently asked questions about photovoltaics and fires
Can photovoltaics cause a fire?
Yes, but the risk is very low. According to PSP data, less than 0.05% of installations in Poland had any connection to a fire event. The most common cause is installation errors and mechanical damage - not the photovoltaic technology itself.
What is the most common cause of a photovoltaic installation fire?
More than 70% of cases are due to installation errors (MC4 connectors, poorly sized cable cross sections) or external factors such as lightning or rodent damage. Equipment failure is only about 17% cases.
How do I check if my photovoltaic installation is safe?
The most effective method is a thermal imaging survey - this can detect overheated joints and hot-spots on panels before they become a hazard. It is recommended to perform it every 2-3 years or after every severe storm.
Does switching off the main fuse disable the PV?
No. The panels generate direct current (DC) as long as the sun is shining - regardless of the main switch. The cables between the panels and the inverter remain at 300-900 volts DC. Therefore, in the event of a fire, always inform the fire brigade of the presence of a photovoltaic installation.
How often do I need to have my photovoltaics serviced?
Manufacturers and installers recommend servicing every 2-3 years. Installations older than 5 years without any service are most prone to problems with connectors and DC wiring.
Does a photovoltaic installation over 6.5 kW require notification to the fire brigade?
Yes. In accordance with the building regulations, PV installations above 6.5 kW require the agreement of a fire protection expert and notification to the competent district fire marshal upon completion of the installation.
