PV Fire Intelligence Network asks industry for views on the safety of solar photovoltaic panels

The PV Fire Intelligence Network (PV-FIN) – a network chaired by BRE – is inviting professionals across the fire prevention, solar energy and construction sectors to share their experiences of the safety of solar photo voltaic (PV) panels through a questionnaire.

This research is a key step in the network’s mission to create a national conversation to improve the safety of solar PV panels. The responses will help the network establish reliable data on the causes and consequences of solar PV-related fires, and recommend solutions to reduce the risk of these in the future.

The research covers topics including:

• Work practices - general installation and maintenance practices across the solar PV industry
• Near misses - events that could have resulted in a fire but were prevented before an incident occurred
• Fire incidents- all solar PV-related fire incidents

The questionnaire will be open until Tuesday 30 June 2026. Participants are invited to complete only the sections relevant to their expertise and experience. All responses will be confidential to support open and honest input and to help ensure the findings deliver the greatest possible insight and value.

Participants can visit https://www.pvfin.org/ for more information or email solarfire@bregroup.com

Raman Chagger, Principal Consultant at BRE and PV-FIN lead, said: 

“The results from this  questionnaire will enable us to identify the threats and corresponding best practices for the fast-evolving solar PV sector.

“Ensuring safety in solar PV systems is essential if we are to encourage their adoption and, ultimately, make the successful transition to clean energy. Participation from industry professionals is essential to achieve this.”

PV-FIN was established last October as a steering group of leading organisations to analyse the fire safety of solar PV systems. Solar PV and component manufacturers, fire experts, and solar safety solution providers form the network. They include: MCS Company, Fire Industry Association, CGM Group UK, Enphase Energy, IMO Precision Controls, PVStop, SolarEdge Technologies, ArcBox (Division of Viridian Solar) and Solar Energy UK.

Solar PV is a critical element of the UK’s green transition, increasing the need for up-to-date and reliable data on the fire risk of these systems to promote their take-up among homeowners, businesses and the public sector.