Written question asked by Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 17 April 2023, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 2 May 2023. It was answered by Lord Callanan (Conservative) on Tuesday, 2 May 2023 on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Solar Power: Fire Hazards

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risk of fires arising from solar photovoltaic panels.

Answer: Research funded by Government between 2015 and 2018 by the Building Research Establishment indicates the risk from solar PV fires is very low. Government continues to work with industry to make solar even safer and ensure best practice. In February 2023 RISCAuthority, the Microgeneration Certification Scheme and Solar Energy UK published an updated Joint Code of Practice on recommendations for fire risk prevention in UK solar systems.

Secondary information