🔥 Another Solar Fire—What You Need to Know Before Installing a Solar System
Last Saturday, another fire linked to a solar installation occurred at a school.
These incidents are becoming more common—and almost always, they could have been prevented.
As solar energy becomes more popular, safety can sometimes take a back seat to price or efficiency. But if you’re thinking of installing solar panels, there’s one area you cannot afford to ignore: the safety features in your solar inverter.
Why Inverter Safety Matters More Than You Think
Solar systems, particularly their DC cabling, carry high voltages—often up to 1,500 volts. If anything compromises the insulation or connections over time, it can lead to fires, electric shock, or serious damage to your home or business.
Yet many solar systems are installed without basic, real-time safety checks—checks that are standard in premium inverters.
Here are two essential safety features every solar inverter should have:
✅ 1. Real-Time Insulation Resistance Testing
This feature continuously checks the health of your solar DC cables and insulation. If any weakness or deterioration is detected, the system automatically shuts down to prevent hazards.
Why it’s important:
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DC cables degrade over time due to:
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Harsh weather (especially in winter)
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UV exposure
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Rodents or birds chewing wires
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Simple ageing
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Insulation resistance testing helps catch faults before they become dangerous.
Without this feature, a system may continue operating with unsafe cables—posing a serious fire or shock risk.
If your inverter doesn’t include real-time monitoring, we recommend having your DC cables tested every few years, especially from year 5 onwards.
⚠️ 2. Arc Detection
Electric arcs occur when damaged or loose cables cause high-voltage discharges. These arcs can reach thousands of degrees in seconds and are a leading cause of solar-related fires.
A quality inverter will:
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Continuously scan for arc events
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Immediately shut down the system if an arc is detected
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Prevent fires before they start
Arc faults can be invisible but deadly. A modern inverter with arc detection can stop a disaster before it begins.
Don’t Cut Corners on Safety
When choosing a solar system, it’s tempting to focus on price, panel efficiency, or battery capacity. But the inverter is the heart of your system, and it must include robust safety features.
Real-time insulation resistance testing and arc detection aren’t just “nice to haves”—they are essential protections for your building, your investment, and your life.
Final Thoughts
If you’re planning a solar installation, ask your installer:
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Does the inverter support real-time insulation resistance testing?
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Does it include arc fault detection?
If not—walk away. The cost of not asking could be far greater.
Solar energy is a smart investment—just make sure it’s a safe one, too.