Fire crews spent two hours tackling a blaze at Malton Community Hospital in North Yorkshire on 14 October. The suspected cause: solar panels on the roof. No one was injured, but the incident has sent a jolt through the UK’s solar market, and rightly so.
As reported by the BBC, the fire is now being investigated by North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, with solar panels listed as a potential source. The hospital was evacuated as a precaution. This is the kind of headline that makes homeowners question whether the savings are worth the risk.
What the data actually says about solar fires
The UK now has over 1.4 million solar installations on homes and commercial buildings. The Fire Protection Association estimates that solar-related fires occur at a rate of roughly 0.006%, about one per 16,000 installations. For context, that is far lower than the fire risk from gas boilers (roughly 1 in 1,000) or tumble dryers (1 in 500). Yet a single hospital fire can dominate the news cycle and spook the market. The real risk is not the panels themselves but faulty DC connectors, poor installation, or damaged cabling. The vast majority of incidents involve pre-existing electrical faults or DIY installations that bypassed MCS certification.
Who qualifies, and who doesn’t
If you have solar panels installed by an MCS-certified installer, which is mandatory for eligibility under the Smart Export Guarantee, the risk is negligible. MCS standards require proper DC isolation, surge protection, and earthing. The real danger zone is the secondary market: panels bought second-hand, installed by unregistered firms, or systems that have been damaged by weather or wildlife. Bird nesting under panels is a known cause of overheating. If your system is more than 10 years old, it is worth having an MCS electrician check the DC isolator and cabling. The cost of a check is typically £150–£250, a fraction of the potential damage.
What it costs a typical 3-bed semi
A well-installed 4kW solar system on a south-facing roof in Manchester will generate roughly 3,500 kWh per year. At the current price cap of 24.5p/kWh, that saves about £860 on electricity bills, plus up to £120 a year from the Smart Export Guarantee. The installation cost is typically £5,000–£7,000. Payback is around 7–9 years. The fire risk does not change that maths. What does change it is a failed DC isolator or a loose connection, both of which are preventable with a £200 inspection every five years.
But the insurance question matters
Yet there is a catch that few homeowners consider. Most standard home insurance policies cover solar panels as part of the buildings sum, but they do not cover fire caused by faulty installation or lack of maintenance. If your panels were not installed by an MCS-certified firm, your insurer could refuse a claim. That is the real lesson from Malton: not to panic, but to verify. Check your installation certificate. If you cannot find it, contact the original installer or an MCS-registered electrician. The Energy Saving Trust recommends a visual inspection of panels and cabling every spring. That is a 20-minute job that can save a fortune.
Households with solar panels installed before 2019 should pay particular attention. Older systems often used DC connectors that are now known to be less reliable. The government’s Microgeneration Certification Scheme has tightened standards since then, but retrofits are voluntary. If your system is pre-2019, book an inspection before the autumn storms arrive. That is the single most effective action you can take. Do it by the end of November.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The risk of a solar panel fire is extremely low, about 1 in 16,000 installations. Removing panels would cost thousands and lose you £800+ a year in savings. Instead, check your installation certificate and book an MCS inspection if your system is over 10 years old.
Most policies cover the panels as part of the buildings insurance, but only if they were installed by an MCS-certified professional. Faulty DIY installs or lack of maintenance can void cover. Always check your policy wording and keep your MCS certificate safe.
