Solar Panel Safety

With a flurry of recent solar panel related fires, some would-be solar buyers are wondering if these alternative energy products are safe enough for their homes and businesses. While these fears are largely misplaced, solar energy is not without some inherent risks, as is almost any product, especially if it is not properly installed. However, the few hazards posed solar panels are easy to avoid through regulation and education.

In order to understand the potential dangers of solar panels, it helps to know what one is. Essentially, a solar panel is a grid of wafer-thin disks called photovoltaic cells, which are usually made of crystalline silicon. When photons of sunlight bounce off the surface of these highly-polished "PV" cells, they knock electrons out of their orbits. The electrons then pass through a special converter called a p-n junction diode, which essentially turns them into electrical energy. PV cells are connected with wire conductors and spread on a special layer of thermally conductive cement, which helps keep the panel from overheating. A layer of glass or faux glass usually protects the cells on both sides.

Although solar panels have protective measures to prevent overheating, they must still be installed with caution. There is little danger of panels spontaneously combusting, but solar panels should be elevated off of surfaces so that air can flow and cool them. It is also better to install solar panels high off the ground so they receive unobstructed ventilation.

Faulty wiring is frequently the cause solar panel fires, so if this isn't your forte, have a professional wire the system. If you do choose to wire things yourself, make sure wire is big enough to handle the power in your system, that it is well insulated, and that it is either grounded or tied to the grid to protect against lightning strikes.

Solar panels are relatively easy to maintain, but they can get very hot. Any organic materials that touch a solar panel could potentially burst into flames. Always keep combustible materials away from your solar panels, and trim back any nearby tree branches - this will also help keep your panels out of the shade and make them more efficient. Keep your panels clean by hosing them down or wiping them off with a rag and some glass cleaner. Monitor your wiring for potential insulation flaws, melting or gnawing from rodents. Install a fuse to protect against shortages, and do not try to replace a fuse or a breaker if you do not know what you are doing.

In 2010, a house in San Diego caught fire, and it exposed a significant problem with solar panels for firefighters. Most houses do not have a switch to cut the power from the panels in an emergency, so firefighters cannot put out the fire as quickly or effectively. Moreover, solar energy systems that are used for heat are different from those used for electricity, so they pose a different set of problems. As such, it is imperative that every solar panel system be clearly marked, and that the system have a remote disconnecting switch.

In addition to fire hazards, solar panels also pose potential chemical safety risks to the environment and human health. When solar panels are not properly disposed of, they leak dangerous chemicals, and when raw materials are improperly extracted to make panels, miners are exposed to severe health risks. Furthermore, chemical spills that occur at panel-producing plants endanger the surrounding population and environment.

Like all energy products, solar panels do carry some risks. Without proper installation, maintenance and construction, solar panels can damage the environment and threaten human life. However, the potential dangers of solar panels can and should be easily circumvented by strict regulation and extensive public education.