The recent string of fires at schools in Suffolk has raised concerns about the safety of solar panels installed on the roofs of educational institutions. Suffolk Fire and Rescue has attributed the cause of the fires to solar panels, citing that there is "beyond reasonable doubt" that the panels were the source of the blazes.
The solar panels in question were installed as part of a council programme in 2012, which is well within their typical 25- to 30-year lifespan. However, the council has decided to temporarily turn off all systems installed in schools between 2011 and 2016 as a precautionary measure, despite a spokesperson stating that there is "no conclusive evidence" linking the school fires to the panels.
The incidents have sparked scrutiny of the government's plans to install solar panels at more than 250 schools and colleges across England. Under a scheme by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, solar panels have been installed in over 100 schools in March this year as part of the government's 10-year plan to improve the conditions of schools and colleges.
The government claims that educational institutions will save up to a combined £220,000,000 over the lifetime of the solar panels, with a spokesperson stating that the risk of fire from solar panels is "very low" compared to household appliances such as cookers.
However, not everyone is convinced that the risks outweigh the benefits. A spokesperson for the Green Party has argued that getting rid of the solar panels would be a step in the wrong direction, given the urgent need to address climate change.
The National Education Union has acknowledged that while incidents such as those in Suffolk and Northumberland are rare, they are a cause for concern. The union has emphasized the importance of proper installation and maintenance of solar panels to prevent any issues that may arise.
Energy expert Tony Slade has suggested that fires caused by solar panels are unlikely, as they are mostly made of glass. He has pointed out that high air temperatures could impact solar panel systems, but most are designed to operate safely within a wide range of temperatures.
Until the cause of the fires is established, the Suffolk County Council's move to temporarily turn off the solar panels is seen as a sensible precaution. However, the issue of solar panel safety may be more complex than initially thought, and it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the concerns raised.
