RIVERINA residents are being urged to ensure their solar panels are from reputable sources as the risk of sparking a fire increases in the summer months.
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Fire and Rescue NSW have responded to 30 solar panel fires in just three months across the state, prompting the push to reduce further incidents.
Anyone with solar panels installed from a non-reputable source could be at risk of an emergency, according to FRNSW Southern Zone Superintendent Stewart Alexander.
"These are electrically-based fires and most often spark in the switch attached to the panels," he said.
"If that fire gets into the roof space of a home or business, it can spread extremely quickly, causing major damage and posing a significant risk to your safety."
Superintendent Alexander said fire was not the only risk dodgy solar panels posed.
"Direct current voltage is produced from some solar panels, so the risk of electrocution is so high," he said.
"If you do see smoke coming from the solar panels or on the roof, do not get up there and do not touch anything, call Triple Zero immediately."
Wagga's Planet Power Solar sales representative Sage Thomas said the key to having peace of mind with solar panels was to put quality first.
"Fires are caused by the inverters, so make sure you purchase both a quality inverter and go through a quality company. That's the most important thing," he said.
"You don't necessarily have to buy from in town either, but make sure you go through a good, local installer either way."
The main difference between two types of solar panels when considering safety and maintenance was the type of current.
"AC, or alternating current, is a great option to have on the roof," Mr Thomas said.
"It is the DC, or direct current, varieties that can be dangerous and spark fires."
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Mr Thomas said it was important to get annual safety checks on the DC panels and to get them cleaned once a year.
"You don't need those safety checks for the AC solar panels, but it won't hurt to give them a clean every now and then," he said.
NSW Fair Trading outlined a number of tips for ensuring solar panels are installed and utilised safely.
On their website, it states:
- You need to make sure your installer has met important safety considerations.
- Most stand-alone systems and some grid-connected installations have batteries forming part of the system.
- Hydrogen gas is released during the charging process of the batteries.
- Hydrogen is a flammable gas.
- All battery installations need to be installed to be compliant with AS/NZS 5139.
- This Standard has requirements for location of battery systems and equipment.
- Signage is required to be installed to let people, and emergency services, know that a system has been installed.
Jessica McLaughlin
If something is awry in our community, I want to know. If someone deserves celebration, I want to know. Everyone deserves an honest news source and that's what I'm here to help achieve.
If something is awry in our community, I want to know. If someone deserves celebration, I want to know. Everyone deserves an honest news source and that's what I'm here to help achieve.
