Rising Concerns Regarding Fire Hazards and Safety of Photovoltaic Power Plants in the Czech Republic

As is the case with anything for which a subsidy program is listed. The first thing that happens is that a lot of speculators get attached to the product, sensing an opportunity to make a lot of money. Subsidies are thus a simple channel from the state coffers through an ignorant citizen straight to the retail seller. And so, unfortunately, the expected situation occurred, where a lot of low-quality products came to the market, which are not even close to the value for which they were sold. They only had a nice advertisement and promised big savings thanks to the subsidies that the state will pay for the customer. And some of the installations have unfortunately already shown their problems in the worst possible way, with a fire.

The popularity of photovoltaic power plants in the Czech Republic is growing

The popularity of photovoltaic power plants in the Czech Republic is constantly growing. In 2022 alone, 33,760 new power plants of this type were put into operation in our country, and already in the first half of this year another 45,197 were added. Although we cannot compare with Germany or France in terms of numbers, on the other hand, in terms of photovoltaics per inhabitant, we are not at all bad . Photovoltaic power plants have gained their popularity due to the ecological way of producing energy. In recent years, attention has also been paid to their aesthetic side, so they can also bring their admirers an architectural experience.

You can look at the prices of photovoltaic panels here.

Fears of photovoltaic power plant fires are starting to come true

However, as the number of photovoltaic power plants increased, so did concerns about possible fires. These have recently proven to be justified. While according to the statistics of the Fire and Rescue Service of the Czech Republic, there were only 62 fires in connection with photovoltaic power plants in the years 2011-2016, there were 29 of them in 2022 alone. This year is likely to be a record year. Only from January to the end of July, 45 fires have already been recorded. If this number seems scary to you, you can compare it with, for example, chimney fires, of which over 1,340 were registered last year.

“I will not spend, I will install photovoltaics myself”

According to the Czech Chamber of Authorized Engineers and Construction Technicians (ČKAIT), the reason for this jump is the growing number of photovoltaic power plants that were created without the expertise of the contractor and documentation processor. Many people buy the products at the lowest possible price and then install the photovoltaics themselves by following instructions on the Internet. Incorrect design, unsuitable material or unprofessional installation, however, significantly increase the risk of fires. These can seriously threaten not only property, but also the health of the residents of the house in which a photovoltaic fire occurs.

Fires occur mainly at small photovoltaic power plants

Photovoltaic power plants are essentially a set of components through which the generated electrical energy flows. Any device through which electrical current flows is a potential source of fire hazard. With properly designed, precisely installed and maintained power plants, the risks are minimal. The increase in fires mainly concerns family houses, where the installed devices are often with a power of less than 50 kW, and therefore the mandatory permit procedure according to the Building Act does not apply to them. ČKAIT recommends all those interested in photovoltaics to have their solution processed by qualified persons in terms of fire safety.

The most common causes of photovoltaic fires

There are several causes of fires in photovoltaic power plants. The aforementioned installation error or faulty system design may occur. The defect may be in the product itself or in its battery. A short circuit in subsequent distribution lines and electrical devices or poorly made or tightened cabling is also a common cause. The non-negligible aspects also include, for example, the unsuitable composition of the roof covering, the inappropriate location of technical equipment and unresolved passages for the electrical installation of structures. In addition, owners of photovoltaic devices often underestimate lightning protection.

Common PV installation mistakes that can add up to a hefty price tag

Fire fighting problems

Putting out photovoltaic fires is complicated. Since the device is connected to an electric current, it cannot be extinguished in the classic way. The first thing to do is turn off the main circuit breaker. In the case of photovoltaics with batteries, the presence of acid must be taken into account. The firemen’s work is also complicated by heavy smoke in the area. The risk of a photovoltaic fire also lies in the fact that due to its location on the roof, you may not notice it at all at first. There is also a risk of the roof collapsing during firefighting. In addition, access to the roof is often poor and extinguishing is only possible from height equipment, as ladders must not come into contact with the roof.

So with photovoltaics, pay attention to:

• suspiciously cheap materials
• improper installation
• untrustworthy companies
• inappropriate placement of technical equipment
• bad wiring
• the absence of a lightning rod

P.S. Are you interested in modern methods of heating and energy production yourself? Visit the Veleton construction fair online, which will take place on January 26-29, 2024. You can download your FREE ticket now at this link
(the number of tickets is limited). You can look forward to lots of inspiration, live lectures, consultations with experts and discount vouchers.

Author:
M.Sc. Little Zuzana
Editor of the Woodworker

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2024-01-09 05:11:43
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