Surge in Solar Panel Fires Sparks Safety Fears Over UK Rooftop Expansion

Recent data highlights a sharp rise in house fires blamed on solar panels and their batteries, raising concerns about Labour’s ambitious plans to dramatically expand residential solar installations across the United Kingdom. According to figures compiled by insurer QBE, fire services responded to a solar panel-related blaze every two days in 2024—a 60 per cent jump from two years earlier.

Examining the figures more closely, there were 107 fires linked to solar panels in 2022 at a time when roughly 1.3 million installations existed nationwide. By 2024, the number of fires had climbed to 171, while the total installations only rose to 1.7 million. This increase in incidents outpaces the installation rate, suggesting other factors are at play beyond simply more panels being added to rooftops.

The most frequently cited causes of these blazes were faulty or poorly maintained systems, with inverters singled out as a primary culprit. Inverters convert the direct current electricity generated by solar panels to alternating current for household use, but they generate significant heat. If installed in confined, poorly ventilated spaces by underqualified workers, they can become ignition points. Lithium ion batteries, often paired with modern solar systems, have also contributed to recent fires, such as a notable blaze in Wickford, Essex in August 2024.

High profile incidents have underscored the potential dangers. Roof fires above a Bristol maternity hospital led to the evacuation of pregnant women and newborns, while a similar fire in Hampshire left three flats badly damaged. Risk is exacerbated when panels are set close to or above roof skylights or windows, as flames can more easily spread into properties below.

Labour’s Ed Miliband is leading the push to expand the UK’s current solar capacity of 18 gigawatts up to 85 gigawatts by 2035, primarily through rooftop initiatives. The Solar Roadmap aims to fit panels onto millions more homes—beyond the 1.5 million households already participating—and recommends easing planning barriers, which could impact safety regulations.

QBE’s analysis suggests that robust regulation, improved workforce training, and regular professional inspections can help reduce risks significantly. Formal risk assessments and the use of certified installers are also strongly advised. Utilising best practice in installation and ongoing system maintenance minimises the chance of fire, keeping the overall risk low.

Solar Energy UK, the industry’s trade group, maintains that when properly installed, rooftop solar remains a safe and highly cost-effective way for families to reduce energy bills, saving an estimated £500 a year on average. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero echoes this, urging all consumers to use certified professionals to safeguard homes and capitalise on clean energy benefits.