Solar panel installations in the UK passed 1.5 million in 2024, roughly one in 20 homes now has them on the roof. But a union representing fire brigades has warned of ‘grave concerns’ after a string of fires linked to photovoltaic systems.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) told BBC News that firefighters are attending more solar-related incidents, with faulty inverters and poor wiring cited as common causes. The union wants tighter regulations and better training for crews.
How real is the risk for UK homes?
Official data is patchy, the government does not centrally record solar panel fires, but industry estimates from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) put the incident rate at roughly 0.01% of installations. That is one fire per 10,000 systems. By contrast, the UK sees around 19,000 electrical fires in homes each year, most linked to old wiring or appliances.
The catch is that solar fires, when they happen, can be harder to extinguish because panels generate DC voltage even when the grid is off. Firefighters need specific training to isolate the system safely. The FBU argues that current building regulations do not require installers to fit rapid shutdown switches, which would cut power at the panel level.
Who qualifies, and who doesn’t
Most solar fires trace back to one of three causes: a faulty inverter, poor DC wiring connections, or damage during installation. Inverters, the box that converts DC to AC, are the weak link. They contain capacitors and electronics that can overheat if sited in direct sunlight or enclosed spaces without ventilation.
Homeowners can reduce risk by insisting on an MCS-certified installer (check the MCS register at mcs.uk.com). The MCS standard requires installers to follow the IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) and the Microgeneration Installation Standard MIS 3002. Systems installed outside the MCS scheme, for example, DIY kits or unregistered traders, carry higher risk and may invalidate home insurance.
Insurance is a practical concern. Most standard home policies cover solar panels as fixtures, but some exclude damage from fire caused by faulty installation. The Association of British Insurers recommends notifying your insurer when you install panels and keeping the MCS certificate as proof of professional installation.
What it costs a typical 3-bed semi
A typical 3.5 kWp solar array costs £5,000–£6,500 installed, plus £800–£1,200 for a battery if desired. The cost of a fire, if it happens, can run into tens of thousands in property damage and legal liability. But the probability is low enough that the expected annual risk per household is under £10.
The Energy Saving Trust notes that solar panels can improve an EPC rating by up to three bands, from D to B in many cases, adding £5,000–£10,000 to a home’s value. The trade-off is real: lower bills and higher resale value versus a small but non-zero fire risk that can be managed with good installation practices.
What the FBU wants, and what it means for you
The union is calling for mandatory rapid shutdown devices on all new installations, a national register of solar systems for fire services, and updated training for all firefighters. The government has not yet responded, but the MCS is reviewing its standards.
For now, the simplest step is to check whether your inverter is in a well-ventilated space, away from stored cardboard or other combustibles. If you have an older system (pre-2019), consider having an electrician inspect the DC isolator and connections, which degrade over time.
Households planning a new installation should ask potential installers three questions: Are you MCS-certified? Where will the inverter go? Do you include a rapid shutdown switch? If the answer to any is unclear, find another installer. The risk is small, but the consequences are not.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The fire risk from solar panels is very low, around 0.01% of installations. Proper installation by an MCS-certified installer and regular maintenance (checking inverter ventilation and wiring) keeps the risk negligible. Removing panels would lose you £500–£1,000 per year in electricity savings and reduce your EPC rating.
Most standard home insurance policies cover solar panels as fixtures, but you must notify your insurer when you install them. Some policies exclude fire damage caused by faulty installation if the system is not MCS-certified. Always keep your MCS certificate and check your policy wording for 'solar panels' or 'microgeneration' exclusions.
