A solar panel caught fire on the roof of an Ipswich primary school this week. Fire crews evacuated the building and contained the blaze, but the damage to the roof and classroom below was significant. For the 300,000 UK households that now generate their own electricity, the question is immediate: could this happen to me?
The incident was reported by the BBC, which noted that the cause is still under investigation. No one was injured. But the images of flames licking around photovoltaic modules will unsettle anyone who has invested £5,000–£8,000 in a typical 3–4 kW system.
How common are solar panel fires?
Rare. The UK’s Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) records fewer than one fire per 10,000 installations annually. The Fire Protection Association estimates that solar-related fires account for less than 0.01% of all building fires in Britain. The risk is lower than that of tumble dryers, which cause around 3,000 fires a year, or even electric blankets.
But rare does not mean zero. The Ipswich fire, and a handful of others at warehouses and farms, typically involve DC arc faults, poor connector crimps, or inverter failures. Most are linked to substandard installation, not the panels themselves.
What homeowners should check
Three things matter. First, the installer. MCS certification is the gold standard in the UK. It means the company follows Building Regulations Part P (electrical safety) and uses approved components. The Energy Saving Trust recommends MCS-certified installers for any solar PV system. Second, the equipment. Inverters should meet IEC 62109 and panels should carry IEC 61730 certification. Third, the insurance. Most home insurers cover solar panels as part of the buildings policy, but you must tell them. A failure to disclose can void cover.
The catch is that many households bought systems during the boom years of 2010–2015, when installers were less regulated. Some of those early panels may lack modern safety features like rapid shutdown devices or arc-fault circuit interrupters, which are now standard in new installations. If your system is more than ten years old, an MCS-certified electrician should inspect the DC wiring and connectors.
What this misses is the bigger picture. Solar panels reduce a typical household’s electricity bill by 40–60%, save around 1.3 tonnes of CO₂ per year, and can add up to 4% to a property’s value, according to estate agent studies. The fire risk, while real, is orders of magnitude smaller than the risk of not insulating your loft or ignoring a faulty boiler.
Practical steps, and when to act
If you already have solar panels, book an annual inspection with your original installer or another MCS-certified firm. They will check for loose connections, rodent damage, and debris build-up, all common precursors to overheating. If you are buying a new system, insist on written confirmation that the installer carries public liability insurance and offers a warranty on workmanship. The Solar Trade Association publishes a list of vetted members.
Households considering solar should not be put off by the Ipswich fire. The technology is mature, the standards are solid, and the financial and environmental benefits are proven. But every homeowner should treat their system like any other electrical appliance: install it properly, maintain it annually, and insure it. Do that, and the odds of a fire are vanishingly small.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, standard buildings insurance typically covers solar panels as fixtures, including fire damage. You must inform your insurer of the installation. Some policies may require an MCS certificate. A failure to disclose can invalidate your claim.
If your system is over ten years old or was installed by a non-MCS company, an inspection by an MCS-certified electrician is wise. They will check DC connectors, inverter condition, and wiring for any signs of wear or overheating.
