FOI Request 2305

Subject: Solar Panel Fires

Status: Complete

Date received: February 2026

Question Asked:

1. 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

   
   

2. 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)

   
   

3. 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)

   
   

4. 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

   
   

5. 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

   
   

6. 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)

Our Response:

Please see our response below to your Freedom of Information Request.

Response to questions 1,2,3,4,5 and 6:

Currently the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Incident Recording System (IRS) has insufficient facilities for the comprehensive recording, and subsequent analysis, of fires involving solar panels. There is no cause, source of ignition or item first ignited where you can record solar panels on the IRS. Therefore, due to the specific information asked for, CFRS cannot provide the data requested.

Response to question 7:

Our approach to controlling or extinguishing fires involving solar panels includes:

• Standard water hose jets and spray branches, used to control, cool, and prevent further fire spread.

• PV Stop, used to prevent further escalation by helping mitigate the hazards associated with the DC electrical current generated by solar panels.

Outcome: Partial Data Held

FOI responded to within timescales: YES

Further action: NO