Fire danger in photovoltaic

Glossary of solar terms

Fire photovoltaics? No reason
to panic.

It is repeatedly reported in the press about fire danger in photovoltaics - this is not entirely wrong, although there are individual cases which do not occur more frequently than lightning or sudden flood events. Whom it applies, however, for it is a disaster. It can, however, some way to avoid fires and so-called "spontaneous combustion" of photovoltaic systems.
At the same time recommends a photovoltaic insurance with adequate coverage.

In the "spontaneous combustion" of photovoltaic systems with a subsequent fire, it is usually an inflammation caused by short circuits on the cable damage caused by animal bites, due to installation errors and the like. No photovoltaic system starts suddenly just like that out of the blue to burn. With proper installation and protection of the PV system, the probability of such "spontaneous combustion" are quite reduced to zero.

Photovoltaic systems that are not adequately planned or in the rush of the assembly does not accurately placed, connected and wired, can favor the occurrence of fires, but in fact, or even cause. The German Society for Solar Energy DGS eV (Link opens in new window) offers photovoltaic operators, therefore, to examine their facilities and take off.

Causing fire through photovoltaic

• Photovoltaic modules reach even in winter, high operating temperatures. They are moved seamlessly into a large area, there is no proper ventilation of their backs. It is necessary to heat build up underneath the attic - which, although not necessarily cause a fire must, however, may favor its development.
• In the string of series-connected PV modules in series, the electrons run through the water like a garden hose. If there is a position at one point by shading or inaccurate terminals placed in an electron storage ("garden hose effect"), can be highly dangerous heat levels occur up to several hundred degrees or skipping arcs, the trigger under unfavorable conditions, a burn.

These dangers can be combined with accurate mounting and installation of the modules at a distance - 15 cm or more - but meet.

Obstruction of fire-fighting operations by photovoltaic

More serious is the obstruction of fire-fighting operations by unfavorable set photovoltaic systems, if - for whatever reasons whatsoever - on fire once.

• Are roofs that are sealed by photovoltaic systems to their full, stop the fire out, by opening the roof off controlled fires for smoke and fire to create heat. Because photovoltaic systems are designed with high quality at high temperatures, they deform themselves by a fire in the attic is not - is the way is blocked. This is also why the arrangement of the photovoltaic modules with narrow running lanes recommended, at least after every second module series.
• Photovoltaic systems produce light even in DC when they are disconnected from the mains - this at a voltage of up to 1,000 volts. According to DIN VDE 0100 (provisions for the establishment and operation of power systems) current is 120 volts from a life-threatening. Set firefighters extinguishing the beam on the modules is threatening, so a life-threatening electrical shock. In the worst case of fire is therefore nothing else than the burning building to be controlled burn.
  It is hoped that manufacturers develop or fire in the foreseeable future, a solar blanket, fireproof and light-tight can be applied to the plants and solves the problem of fighting.

It is strongly recommended to take out insurance photovoltaics .

See this (albeit somewhat older) Handouts of the volunteer fire department plow Village / barn (PDF).

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