A fire broke out last Saturday (04) on the second floor of an accounting office located in Parque Amazônia, in the city of Goiânia (GO). The Fire Department was called around 12 pm after company employees and neighbors noticed that the fire was coming from the photovoltaic system inverter, installed on the roof of the building.
According to Regiane Cavalcante, captain of the Fire Department, who responded to the incident, the upper part of the building was completely damaged, the ceiling lining, which is made of PVC, was destroyed, and some furniture was also burned.
In total, 12 men worked to contain the flames, which were brought under control. The causes of the fire have not yet been released, but it is suspected that it occurred in the solar system. There were no victims. “The owner of the site will call the maintenance personnel, who did the installation, to see what happened,” concluded Regiane. The causes of the fire
Possible causes of fires in PV systems
According to Mateus Viturini, a specialist in photovoltaic systems, there are many possibilities for fires, including faults at the connection point and the lack of companies qualified to install the plants. “Poorly made connections, for example, create a risk of high-intensity electric arcs on the DC side – which are difficult to extinguish and can reach high temperatures,” he pointed out.
Technical article: Find out the real risks of fires in photovoltaic systems
To avoid occurrences like this, he explains that observing the correct tightening torque for screws, as well as using suitable terminals to secure and parallelize cables, minimizes the risk of loose connections, poor contacts and electrical arcs that can cause fires in the string box or inverter. “Photovoltaic system installers should always have a torque wrench available, in addition to other tools appropriate for the devices they work with,” he emphasized.
Technical article: Fire in PV systems: the dangers of electric arc
Furthermore, Vinturini highlighted that a solar system is an engineering project. And, like any project, it is important that it is carried out by competent professionals.
“Photovoltaic plants are not inherently unsafe. Today, we have more than 500 plants installed and few reports of serious accidents. Among those that we do notice, one is always common: design or installation errors,” he explained. “In this case, a very good regulatory body is needed that defines a series of mandatory protections and good assembly practices,” concluded the expert.
Answers of 6
When I was budgeting, I was lucky enough to find a company that offered me the option of APSYSTEM microinverters.
I chose to close with them, and, when I saw this report, the only thing that comes to mind is that this was the best choice I made when investing in solar energy. I paid a little more, but my family's safety comes first!
Research the origin of the companies, be wary of very cheap quotes.
Very adventurous playing with installing a photovoltaic system.
They forget that this involves human lives and property. The consequences can be irreversible.
Great Article Canal Solar.
I said it all my friend, you have to get to the root of the problem, here's the beginning!!
You said it all my friend!!!!
Sérgio – Aracaju/SE.
Commercial Manager.
In addition to the need for the competent bodies involved to be active, we also see the need for banking institutions to require a minimum assessment of companies that take their credit lines from customers and do whatever they want… And the main thing: TEACH THE CUSTOMER HOW TO BUY SOLAR ENERGY!. We need to find mechanisms to publicize this point more: HOW TO CHOOSE A COMPANY AND HOW TO INSPECT POST-INSTALLATION. Create guidelines for the important installation process, following the manufacturer's manuals…
Great article!! Firstly, these e-learning course sellers who say that photovoltaics are simple must be removed from circulation, and secondly, these engineers who sell remote approval. CREA has to be stricter.