The risk is present.
Recently, several fires related to rooftop solar power systems have occurred in Hanoi . Most recently, Firefighting and Rescue Team No. 1 (Fire Prevention, Firefighting and Rescue Police Department - Hanoi City Police) promptly extinguished a fire that occurred in a rooftop solar power system of a household in Phu Dong commune.
The incident highlighted the risk of fires and explosions from rooftop solar power systems. According to authorities, the main causes of these fires stem from the use of substandard equipment, improper installation, overloaded electrical systems, short circuits, DC arcing, lack of maintenance and inspection, or failure to ensure lightning protection and fire safety measures. In particular, rooftop solar power systems are frequently exposed to weather elements such as intense heat, rainstorms, and lightning strikes. Unlike conventional electrical systems, solar panels can generate electricity when there is sunlight, even when the grid power or inverter is disconnected. This means the risk of electric shock and fire is always present if the system is not properly managed, used, and maintained.
Engineer Dao Minh Quyet, Director of Sunpro Vina Co., Ltd., stated that, in reality, most incidents related to rooftop solar power systems do not originate from the solar panels themselves, but mainly from the electrical system and the installation and operation process. Common causes include: using substandard materials; improperly installed or poorly connected DC connectors causing overheating; wires with unsuitable cross-sections or damaged wires; inverters or electrical cabinets placed in poorly ventilated locations, etc.
Some early warning signs include frequent inverter error messages, abnormally hot electrical cabinets or connectors, a burning smell or discoloration of wires, and unusually low power output. When these signs appear, the owner should immediately stop operation and conduct an inspection to avoid major problems.
Proactive prevention to minimize risks.
In light of the above situation, the Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue Police Department (Hanoi City Police) has issued several recommendations to help people proactively prevent the risk of fire and explosion from rooftop solar power systems. Accordingly, the first and most important factor is choosing quality equipment. People should only use solar panels, inverters, battery storage, electrical cabinets, wires, circuit breakers, and lightning protection devices that have a clear origin and meet technical and electrical safety standards. Using counterfeit, fake, or used equipment poses many risks.
The equipment must be suitable for the design capacity, heat-resistant, and adaptable to outdoor weather conditions. In particular, DC power cables must be specialized for solar power systems, capable of withstanding heat and UV radiation, and installed correctly. The design and construction of the system must be carried out by qualified and competent units. The electrical system needs to be calculated to suit the building's load-bearing structure, power consumption, and roof load capacity. In addition, households need to install adequate switching, protection, grounding, and lightning protection systems; and place an easily accessible emergency switch.
According to authorities, regular maintenance plays a particularly important role in preventing accidents. Users should regularly inspect inverters, electrical cabinets, connectors, and wiring to detect any abnormal signs such as overheating, scorching, burning smells, or sparks. Damaged or degraded equipment must be replaced promptly. In addition, the application of monitoring and warning devices or thermal cameras is also encouraged to detect abnormal heat sources early.
In addition, each family needs to equip themselves with knowledge and skills in fire prevention and firefighting, as well as on-site firefighting equipment such as powder fire extinguishers, water-based fire extinguishers, or foam fire extinguishers; ensuring that family members are instructed on emergency power cut-off techniques, how to use fire extinguishers, and safe escape techniques.
Upon detecting a fire or explosion, people should quickly shout to alert others, organize evacuation to a safe area, and immediately call the Fire and Rescue Police force at 114. If safety conditions permit, people should quickly disconnect the main circuit breaker of the building, the AC power cut-off device, and the DC power isolation device of the solar power system to limit the risk of fire spreading and electric shock.
According to Colonel Pham Trung Hieu, Head of the Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue Police Department (Hanoi City Police), rooftop solar power offers many economic and environmental benefits. To ensure this power source is truly effective, every citizen needs to raise awareness of prevention and strictly adhere to regulations on electrical safety and fire prevention and fighting. Only by ensuring safety from the design and construction stages to operation and maintenance can fire and explosion risks be controlled, contributing to the protection of lives and property of individuals and the community.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/lap-dat-he-thong-dien-mat-troi-ap-mai-nhung-bien-phap-phong-ngua-chay-no-1209656.html
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