In recent years you may have read about some fire accidents caused by solar power in the headlines. These incidents have caused some skepticism about the merits of solar power versus their downfalls, if nothing else they have been making people really dig into the good and the bad of solar energy.
This article isn’t meant to be a doom n’ gloom case study, it’s merely a guide for you to consider. Solar power comes with so many benefits that people often get starry eyed about the savings and earth friendly aspects that they may ignore or forget to look at some hazards.
I want people to make informed decisions and that means looking at the possible negatives of solar energy. So, let’s find out, is solar power dangerous?
Table of Contents
Danger of Fire
When you install a solar panel system at your house, you are basically building a small electric utility in your garage. The sun is beating down on the panels, that solar energy is being transferred into a power inverter, and then pushed into storage in an array of batteries before being distributed around your home.
A big cause of solar fires is if any of the components are faulty. This risk is elevated if the wiring and installation were done incorrectly. If high voltage current is being pushed through low voltage wiring, it can melt the insulation off the wires or weld the wires to the batteries or have any number of other faults. Any of these are huge potentials for fire.
Main Causes of Solar Panel Fire Include
- Defective Equipment
- Poor Wiring
- Faulty Insulation
- Ground Faults
- Incorrect Soldering
- Corrosion
Luckily, there are safety standards and inspections that solar panels and installation requirements to keep these fire risks down. Even though a few stories pop up in the news, fires from solar power systems are very rare.
Some Important Points to Consider with Solar Power Installation:
- Always use highly rated electrical components. Read what people are saying about them and look for any safety ratings they have.
- Hire a qualified installer. Someone who has the qualifications will know how to properly install everything, how to test readings, and will likely have extensive training and experience.
- Do your homework on the installation company you’re using. Check the BBB, Yelp, Reddit, and Facebook. Google is your friend here, get all the info you can on the person or company you’ve hired.
- Be very mindful of how you route the cables. The cables need to be very high quality and they shouldn’t be mounted near metal conduits. Further, make sure the cables are installed without any slack and DO NOT route them inside your house.
- Protect your power inverters. They need to be kept out of the rain, snow, or any other inclement weather. They also need to be housed away from any flammable or combustible materials and have plenty of ventilation.
- Get up on the roof and inspect your solar panels every six months. While you’re up there look for any fraying wires, singed spots, cracks in the panels, and anything else that looks out of place. We all have cameras on our phones now. Take pictures and make comparisons over time. If in doubt, e-mail an installer and send the pictures along.
Danger of Electric Shock
Even though you’re harnessing solar energy, that energy is being converted to electricity by inverters, this is where potential dangers come in. A power inverter has to be handled with the same care and respect as a high voltage electric circuit.
Solar panels themselves produce extremely low levels of voltage, but even these low levels should be respected. Solar panels are generating DC current, which is more dangerous at low levels than AC power.
Low voltage equipment is often connected with high voltage equipment. This higher voltage equipment produces a higher current which can be a bit risky.
These connections are a concern for firefighters who may have to go up on your roof during an emergency. There is usually a cut off switch in the middle of the array for disconnecting the electric modules from the power system. Those modules can be associated with high voltages which can be dangerous.
Danger with Batteries
All that solar power has to be stored somewhere, that’s where your battery array comes in. Since this is where all the energy gets stores, this is where one of the higher hazard potentials is.
A typical battery system stores between 20 and 50 kW hours of power. This is the same amount of power that an F1 race car at full speed uses in 3 minutes. Now, imagine all this energy releasing in a fraction of a second…this is a short circuit.
All of this power being discharged that quickly creates an intense amount of heat, bringing in that first danger I mentioned…Fire!
Many of the batteries used in solar are also full of lead and acid. During a short circuit, this acid will be released and spray everywhere. The lead will heat up and release hydrogens gas, which is flammable and can potentially explode when mixed with oxygen.
Danger with Toxic Chemicals
Toxic chemicals are used in the manufacturing of solar panels and batteries however, there is little evidence that these chemicals cause any harm to the environment or people who work in their development and construction.
Where these chemicals do become dangerous is if they go through a fire. When solar panels or, especially when the batteries melt, those chemicals will seal into the area around them or settle onto the floor and cause injury to people that come in contact with them. If fires happen, then the fumes and heat generated by the chemicals can be a major threat to the environment.
Other Potential Dangers
Since most people are putting solar panels up on their rooftops, trips and falls become a potential hazard.
The best way to avoid falls is to wear safety harnesses and tether yourself to something solid on your roof, wear good shoes that fit you well and keep the laces tied, and if you’re like me and afraid of heights get someone else up there.
Since you are storing energy in a battery array so that you can have continuous power even at night or during overcast weather, this introduces a double-edged sword of sorts.
On the one hand, you always have power, even if storms knock out your neighbor’s power. This is great…this is likely one of the reasons you installed solar power.
On the other hand, if a very dangerous storm occurs, like flooding or a tornado, your solar power system might still be producing power while safety crews are near your home trying to assist people or assess any damage.
The key take away here is that you should always treat a power system, no matter what type it is as if it is live!
How to Prevent Dangers Associated with Solar Power
I feel like it’s important to reiterate that the focus of this article isn’t to discourage anyone from installing solar panels at their home. When you lay out all of the bad stuff in a series of paragraphs, it looks like the sky is falling. Solar power is still a great way to power your home. It’s cheap, green, and reliable.
Now that we’ve covered the major dangers that you should be aware of if you plan to install a solar power system, let’s talk about ways to prevent these dangers.
Major Storms and Solar Energy
It is highly recommended that you shut down your system prior to a major storm hitting your area. This will greatly reduce short circuits, fires, and electric shocks to you and any safety crew that might be near your home.
Shut down procedures will vary from product to product, so study your owner manual well! If possible, write it out in an easy-to-follow set of instructions, laminate it and hang it near your system in case another family member, neighbor, or public safety officer is the one that has to shut the system down.
Generally, the following steps will shut down a domestic solar power system. This isn’t meant to replace what your owners manual says!
- Turn off the AC mains isolator which should be located in the meter box
- Turn off the PV array isolator which will be near the power inverter
- If flooding is going to reach cables and inverters, then turn off the roof array isolator as well.
If you have any doubts about how to properly AND COMPLETELY shut off your system, call the manufacturer or installer and get them to walk you through it.
After a Major Storm
Once the storm has passed and any sitting water has receded, don’t be too quick to turn your system back on. Make sure the entire system is dry and nothing has been damaged or any wires are broken.
Check that roof out. If you’ve just been through a hurricane or tornado there might be a chance that your roof has been damaged. Remember, those solar panels add a lot of weight to your roof, so check under the panels as well as around them.
If you can, get a qualified inspector to come to assess your roof and solar power system. It may take a few days and cost a pretty penny, but it’ll be worth it for peace of mind.
Solar Energy During a Flood
If flooding has already occurred at your home, don’t try to shut off the solar components that are submerged in water or are already wet. Water + you = high potential of shock.
If you can, avoid any parts of your system that are wet or submerged. Keep everything as dry as possible for as long as you can.
After a Flood
Don’t power anything on until any submerged components are safe and dry. Get an inspection from a qualified solar installer and have them dry off any components and turn your system back on. Remember, even if the ground around any elements of your system is dry the area directly under them could still be damp.
If your solar inverters were submerged or came in contact with a lot of water, then you may need to replace them.
Safety Tips for Installing and Maintaining a Solar Power System
- Make sure your roof has the structural integrity to support it
- Ensure that your system is properly grounded to keep electric shock risk at a minimum
- Find out what kind of electrical or solar codes you have in your area. Don’t hesitate to call your local electric utility to get as much information as you can
- Check to see if you need any permits in your area
- Be mindful of any limitations your town or HOA may have in regards to solar power
- If you need to perform maintenance to your system, do any work when it is clear and dry outside. Basically…don’t work in the rain!
- The last tip also applies to windy conditions
- If you have flammable fuel tanks stored at your house (or more likely, cabin) keep them as far away from your solar power system as possible
- Avoid wearing any metal jewelry when working near your system
- PPE-Personal Protective Equipment. Get some and use it. At a minimum, safety harness for when you go on the roof, good shoes, good gloves.
- Don’t use magnified or artificial lights on your panels
- Make sure everyone in the house knows where the components of your solar power system are located. Make sure the small kids avoid them and the older kids know how to turn them off in an emergency.
- Keep your roof tidy and clear from any unneeded clutter to avoid tripping while you’re up there doing any inspections or maintenance.
- If the power company has lines installed to your home, make sure they know you’re going to be installing a solar power system. DO NOT detach any of their lines…let them do it!
- Any cables that will be exposed to the elements need to be put into a metal conduit
- Make sure the area around any bolts going into your roof or conduit going into your home have a good weatherproof sealant around them to avoid water and bugs from getting in
- A no brainer, but enough people ignore it so it warrants a mention. Don’t do any work…on anything, really…when you’re overtired, on medication, or have been drinking
For as thorough as I’m trying to be I’m sure there are several other factors I’ve forgotten to mention here. There are also likely some things that may not apply to most people but could be an issue for your particular situation.
Solar power systems are a lot of money upfront and have a lot of components that can be confusing to most people, so get those experts on the phone and ask those questions!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Solar Power Dangerous?
Solar power is generally considered safe, but there are potential risks that should be understood and managed.
What Are the Potential Risks Associated with Solar Power?
Risks associated with solar power include electrical hazards, fire risks, environmental impacts, and improper installation or maintenance.
Are There Any Health Hazards Associated with Solar Energy?
While solar energy itself is clean and does not produce harmful emissions, improper handling or exposure to certain materials in solar panels may pose health risks.
Can Solar Panels Cause Fires or Other Accidents?
Poor installation, faulty wiring, or damage to solar panels can potentially lead to fires or accidents, highlighting the importance of proper installation and maintenance.
Are There Any Environmental Concerns Related to Solar Power?
Solar power is generally considered environmentally friendly; however, manufacturing processes, disposal of old panels, and land use can have environmental implications.
How Safe is the Installation and Maintenance of Solar Panels?
Proper installation and regular maintenance by qualified professionals ensure the safe and effective operation of solar panels, minimizing potential risks.
Are There Any Risks of Electrical Shock or Electrocution with Solar Energy?
If solar systems are not installed or maintained correctly, there is a risk of electrical shock or electrocution. Hiring trained professionals is crucial to mitigate these risks.
Can Solar Power Systems Pose a Threat During Severe Weather Conditions?
Adequately installed solar power systems are designed to withstand various weather conditions, but extreme events like hurricanes or lightning strikes can pose risks.
What Safety Measures Should Be Taken when Using Solar Power?
Safety measures include hiring certified installers, regular inspections, proper grounding, using quality equipment, and following manufacturer’s guidelines.
Are There Any Long-Term Health Effects from Exposure to Solar Panel Materials?
When used as intended, the materials in solar panels pose minimal health risks. However, improper handling or disposal may have long-term health and environmental effects.