FOI Request 2305

Subject: Solar Panel Fires

How many fire incidents involving solar panels (photovoltaic) systems were recorded in the following time periods?
a)01/01/2022 - 31/12/2022
b)01/01/2023 - 31/12/2023
c)01/01/2024 - 31/12/2024
d)01/12/2025 – 31/12/2025
In 2024, how many fire incidents involving solar panels occurred in each of the following locations?
a) Residential properties
b) Commercial properties
c) Industrial properties
d) Solar farms (ground-mounted solar installations)
In 2025, how many fire incidents involving solar panels occurred in each of the following locations?
a) Residential properties
b) Commercial properties
c) Industrial properties
d) Solar farms (ground-mounted solar installations)
In 2024, how many solar-panel related fires originated in the following settings?
a) Solar panel
b) DC cabling/ connectors
c) Invertor
d) Battery bank
In 2025, how many solar-panel related fires originated in the following settings?
a) Solar panel
b) DC cabling/ connectors
c) Invertor
d) Battery bank
In the following years, how many fire incidents involving solar panels were

a. confined to the solar panel system?

b. spread to the wider building?

Please provide figures for:

a) 01/01/2022 – 31/12/2022

b) 01/01/2023 – 31/12/2023

c) 01/01/2024 – 31/12/2024

d) 01/01/2025 – 31/12/2025

7. What equipment or firefighting methods are typically used by your fire service to extinguish or control solar panel fires?

a) Standard water hoses/jets

b) Foam additive hoses

c) CO2 and/or Dry Powder

d) Specialist extinguishing agents, if so please specify

e)Other agents or equipment/tools, please specify (e.g. black out blankets, PV Stop)

This Freedom of Information Request in currently in progress.

Outcome:

FOI responded to within timescales:

Further action:

Last updated: Friday, 20 February 2026