Fire safety of photovoltaic system

Abstract

The segments of photovoltaic systems are tested for safety and reliability during production. These systems must also satisfy the electrical safety requirements set out in the various standards and protocols to the extent defined by the country. Based on the claims of individual manufacturers, it is possible to work with the information that photovoltaic systems don‘t pose health, safety or environmental risks under normal operating conditions, if they are properly installed and maintained by trained personnel according to the requirements of regulations and standards in individual countries. With the evergrowing global trend of photovoltaic installations and countless installation variants, from traditional installations on the roof and ground to more advanced systems integrated into building facades. It is all the more important to develop installation procedures and share equipment safety and risk mitigation information. The article presents examples of fires in photovoltaic installations in the context of the intervention of firefighters. The article further clarifies the applied approaches in the field of fire safety in the Czech Republic and in the surrounding countries.