Incidents Involving Solar Panels (PN 839)

Question 1

There are 8 Hazards listed in the ‘key point summary’ for incidents involving Solar Panels. Can you name 6?

Answer 1

• Electricity
• Working at height
• Structural roof collapse
• Fittings failure causing panel to fall
• HAZMATs
• Sharps
• Steam/Hot pressurised water
• Confined Spaces

Question 2

En-route to an incident involving Solar panels the IC should ensure that full PPE is donned, crew is briefed on hazards and that the MDT is used to gain information.

What other item of equipment should be considered?

Answer 2

Electrical Gloves

Question 3

At large commercial, industrial or solar farms what 3 things must be ascertained as soon as possible?

Answer 3

1) Site specific plans
2) The location of inverters
3) The Voltage (V) or Current (Amp) being produced

Question 4

The IC should consider an early request for who?

Answer 4

The Authorised Person from the power company or (where available) the system installer for advice

Question 5

If the Mains Fuse has been removed by the authorised person are crews safe to approach the equipment?

Answer 5

No, not unless the Direct Current Inverter has been isolated as power to the building may still be energised

Question 6

What tactics may the IC consider using until the power is confirmed isolated?

Answer 6

Defensive

Question 7

What does PV stand for?

Answer 7

Photovoltaic

Question 8

A series of PV panels linked together is known as what?

Answer 8

A STRING, with one or more strings bring known as an ARRAY

Question 9

PV cells can produce Direct Current (DC) in excess of how many volts?
A) 1000
B) 10000
C) 100000 v DC

Answer 9

A) 1000 v DC

Question 10

What is the DC from the cells converted into at the inverter?

Answer 10

240 v AC (Alternating Current)

Question 11

Will the application of a heavy Tarpaulin over panels in strong sunlight cut the power produced?

Answer 11

No, tests have shown that it will reduce the output not stop it.

Question 12

The power can only be isolated at the inverter. Short heavy cabling is used from the panels to the inverter. So where is it usually found?

Answer 12

The roof space

Question 13

A standard 250w panel will produce approximately 30v which is how many Amps DC?

A) 3
B) 8
C) 18

Answer 13

B) 8 Amp DC

A large domestic installation of 16 panels (4KW Array) could therefore be producing 480v or 128 Amp DC

Question 14

Where Solar Panels begin to emit gases, leak fluids (other than water) or batteries are affected by fire who should the IC consider requesting?

Answer 14

The Hazardous Materials and Environmental Protection Officer (HMEPO)

Question 15

Solar Hot water heaters are bulkier and the panels contain pipework. The water is simply heated by being exposed to sun light. At what temperature does the boiler typically activate to ‘top up’ the temperature?

Answer 15

50 and 55 degrees centigrade are BOTH listed in the note. So between 50 and 55 degrees Centigrade is probably the best answer, a temperature which under pressure can cause burns and scalds

Question 16

Can scene lighting or moonlight generate electricity in a PV panel?

Answer 16

Yes, even an unwired panel taken out of its wrapping will begin to generate electricity

Question 17

Are the DC wires (panel side of the inverter) earthed in this type of system?

Answer 17

No, therefore firefighters working very closely to the wiring may complete the circuit

Question 18

Solar panels can weigh between 14-27kg per square metre. Why is this a concern, particularly in a fire?

Answer 18

The increased load can effect the integrity of the roof.

Question 19

When might the following toxic and/or Carcinogenic chemicals be an issue during an incident involving solar panels:?

Cadmium telluride
Gallium Arsenide
Phosphorus

Answer 19

During a fire or explosion when the panel frame can quickly degrade

Question 20

Battery banks are sometimes used to store surplus energy, what 2 hazards can these batteries produce when exposed to fire?

Answer 20

1) Toxic and Corrosive fumes

2) Flammable and Explosive Gases

Question 21

What is classified as ‘High Voltage’?

Answer 21

1000 volts AC
or
1500 volts DC

Electrical gloves/gauntlets must not be used above 3300 volts

Question 22

On arrival at an incident involving solar panels what should the driver/IC consider?

Answer 22

Appliance positioning to allow for the siting of an Aerial Appliance

Question 23

The safe working area below a roof with solar panels can be difficult to gauge, why?

Answer 23

Panels may ‘plane’ and fall some distance from the building

Question 24

The solar panel isolation switch may be located in 2 places, where are they?

Answer 24

1) The fuse board/consumer unit

2) On or near the inverter

Question 25

What should an IC consider using both outside and inside a building where solar panels are involved?

Answer 25

Safety Officers with a specific brief