Fires linked to rooftop solar panels are rising sharply across the UK, sparking concern among fire services and insurers.
New figures show that incidents are growing faster than installations, raising questions about safety oversight in Britain’s clean-energy rollout.
Experts say that while solar remains safe when properly installed, a surge in rushed or poorly maintained systems is putting homes at risk.
How many fires are happening
UK fire services attended 171 solar-related fires in 2024, up from 107 in 2022, according to analysis by insurer QBE.
That equates to roughly one fire every two days, even though rooftop installations grew by only 29.6% during that period. Most of these incidents – 97 in 2024 – occurred in homes.
This has led to concerns that this trend could continue as solar adoption accelerates, with the UK recording a 22% increase in solar panel installations in the first half of 2025, amounting to more than 99,500 new systems.
What’s behind the rise in solar panel fires
Experts point to several key causes behind the uptick in fires. Inverters, the devices that convert solar power into electricity for home use, are the most common source of ignition when placed in cramped lofts or unventilated spaces.
Lithium-ion batteries, increasingly used for storage, can also pose risks if poorly installed or damaged.
Adrian Simmonds, Property Risk Solutions Practice Leader at QBE, says solar power remains crucial to the UK’s clean-energy future but the pace of rollout is exposing weak spots in safety and training.
He says most fires in 2024 began in the inverter or panel itself, components that can overheat when installation or ventilation is inadequate.
What homeowners should watch out for
Fire-risk specialists agree that most solar fires are preventable through good practice.
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said it was “concerned” that the government’s push to ease rooftop solar panel rollout did not adequately consider building and fire‑safety risks”.
A spokesperson for the National Fire Chiefs Council says homeowners should view solar systems as complex electrical equipment that needs routine checks just like a boiler or wiring inspection.
Dougie Barnett, risk-director at AXA UK, adds that insurers are seeing more claims linked to installation faults and battery failures, noting that “poor workmanship and skipped inspections are driving many of these incidents.”
Homeowners are advised to ensure their systems are installed by certified professionals, keep solar panels clean and clear of debris, and position solar batteries away from living spaces.
Regular servicing and inspection, experts say, are simple steps that can dramatically reduce the chance of fire while keeping rooftop solar a safe and sustainable part of the UK’s net-zero transition.
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