Fire strikes another German home with solar roof tiles

A fire at a single-family home in Kleve, Germany, involving integrated photovoltaic roof tiles, required approximately 65 firefighters and lasted nearly five hours to extinguish, with no injuries reported. The incident underscores ongoing safety challenges linked to building-integrated solar systems.

The fire started on June 9 in Kleve and initially appeared to be a balcony fire before spreading to the roof, which included integrated photovoltaic tiles and a green roof system. Firefighters faced difficulties due to hotspots hidden within the roof structure and the energized state of the solar tiles, which can generate voltage when exposed to sunlight. The firefighting operation involved partial dismantling of the roof to access and cool hotspots, ultimately confining the fire to the roof and preventing damage to the interior of the home. All occupants evacuated safely, and no injuries occurred during the incident.

Florian Pose, spokesperson for the Kleve fire department, explained that the presence of solar tiles complicates firefighting because these modules remain energized when sunlight hits them. Unlike standard rooftop panels mounted above the roof, integrated solar tiles are built into the roof structure, making access and ventilation more challenging. The fire department’s efforts lasted until about 7:00 p.m., after which the road was reopened. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Risks of Building-Integrated Photovoltaics in Fires

This incident highlights the safety challenges posed by integrated photovoltaic roof tiles, which continue generating electricity during daylight and complicate firefighting efforts. As the adoption of building-integrated solar solutions increases across Europe, emergency services need to adapt protocols to address these risks. The incident also emphasizes the importance of developing safety standards and firefighting techniques tailored to solar-integrated building materials, to prevent injuries and property damage.

Recent Incidents and Growing Use of Solar Roofs

This fire in Kleve follows a similar incident in Gütersloh, Germany, where a firefighter was injured by electric shock while dismantling photovoltaic roof tiles during a roof fire in May. Such cases have raised awareness of the operational risks associated with building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). The use of solar tiles integrated into roofs is increasing in Europe as part of broader efforts to promote renewable energy, but safety protocols are still evolving to keep pace with this technological shift.

“When the sun is shining, these modules are always energized.”

— fire department spokesperson Florian Pose

Unresolved Questions About Fire Safety Protocols

It is not yet clear whether existing firefighting protocols are sufficient for homes with integrated photovoltaic tiles or if new safety standards are being developed in response to these incidents. The specific cause of the Kleve fire remains under investigation, and the extent to which solar tiles contributed to the fire’s spread is still unclear.

Monitoring and Improving Fire Safety Measures

Authorities and firefighting agencies are expected to review and update safety protocols for buildings with integrated solar systems. Further investigations into the Kleve fire will likely inform future safety standards, and manufacturers may need to improve the design of solar tiles to mitigate risks during fires. Additionally, emergency services may conduct training to better handle energized photovoltaic systems during incidents.

Key Questions

What caused the fire in Kleve?

The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. Initial reports suggest it started on the roof, but the role of the photovoltaic tiles in the fire’s development remains unclear.

Are solar roof tiles safe to install?

Solar roof tiles are generally safe when properly installed and maintained. However, incidents like this highlight the need for safety protocols and potential design improvements to address risks during fires.

How do solar tiles complicate firefighting?

Solar tiles can remain energized when exposed to sunlight, posing a risk of electric shock to firefighters and making it difficult to access hotspots within the roof structure.

Will regulations change because of this incident?

It is likely that safety standards and firefighting procedures will be reviewed and potentially updated to better address the unique risks posed by integrated photovoltaic systems, but specific regulatory changes have not yet been announced.

Source: PV Magazine