5 ways to keep your solar panels safe
10/29/2024
In the surge to go green, millions of households in the UK have made the decision to use solar panels to power their homes, with 1.4m homes in the UK having solar panels as of June this year.
Some of this will be in partnership with any of the new build developments across the country, in which solar panels are now becoming more and more common, and some will be people making the active decision to switch to a greener future.
However, whilst solar panels are the present and future, it’s important to recognise the fire risk they present and more importantly, the ways to reduce those risks.
Here are five things you need to know about solar panels, from installation to maintenance, to keep you and your home safe:
Choosing a contractor
Solar panels continuously generate electricity, even when the sun isn’t shining brightly. Whilst that is their purpose, it does mean they are a potential safety risk to anyone nearby. When discussing installation of solar panels, it’s essential to choose a contractor that is accredited by a national trade body, such as ECA, MCS, NICEIC or NAPIT.
It is essential that the contractor has experience of both AC and DC systems, and install the system in compliance with UK BS 7671 IET Wiring Regulations (18th edition or later).
Not every roof is suitable for solar panels
As important as it is to go green where possible, for some existing homes this is slightly trickier than for others. The material used to build the roof needs to be made of a non-combustible material, such as clay tiles or concrete.
If you do have a combustible roof, it’s important to ask your installer – with the support of a structural engineer – whether a non-combustible layer can be installed in between.
Positioning is key
It’s not only important to get the solar panels in the right position for a balance between sunlight and ease of access, but it’s also key to have an easy-to-reach isolation switch to cut electricity in an emergency.
Clean panels are happy panels
You might think that the chances of dirt falling from the sky onto your solar panels is low, even if you’re not surrounded by trees and other higher up buildings.
However, dust, leaves and even bird poo can build up over time – blocking sunlight and savings on your bills. Having regular cleanings scheduled in by an engineer will help keep your panels, inverters and cables clean.
Inspect your panels annually
Solar panels are no different to the cars on our roads, in that they need a yearly check-up. Any inspection programme should match the manufacturers guidelines, but a qualified inspector should always look for any signs of wear and tear, vegetation build up or panel discolouration.
