Solar photovoltaic systems with advanced safety technology not only represent a sustainable and profitable alternative, but also ensure maximum protection for employees and infrastructures.
Thanks to SolarEdge’s intelligent solutions, the risk of fires in photovoltaic installations is significantly reduced, ensuring peace of mind and efficiency for owners.
Global growth of smart solar energy
The use of photovoltaic systems with advanced technology has experienced rapid growth worldwide, especially in high energy-consuming sectors such as:
- Manufacturing industries.
- Shopping malls and airports.
- Hospitals and corporate buildings.
These spaces seek to reduce operating costs through autonomous generation of renewable electricity.
Savings and reduced environmental impact
The investment in solar panels is based on two fundamental pillars:
- Economic optimization: the energy generated by these systems reduces dependence on the electrical grid, lowering electricity bills.
- Sustainable autonomy: companies adopt solar solutions as part of their sustainability strategy, aligning with global initiatives for carbon emissions reduction.
In fact, many Fortune 500 corporations have integrated zero-emission goals by using solar energy in their operational models.
An efficient and safe photovoltaic system
The implementation of solar technology is a strategic long-term investment, so choosing systems with high safety standards is key to:
- Maximize financial returns.
- Reduce environmental risks.
- Ensure the protection of employees and buildings.
Furthermore, more and more insurance companies offer extended coverage to buildings with solar photovoltaic systems that comply with advanced safety measures.
Fire safety
There are millions of operational solar installations worldwide, demonstrating confidence in this technology.
The fire risk in these systems is minimal, as they are designed to be:
- Reliable and resistant.
- Safe for both people and infrastructures.
However, it is essential to understand their operation to mitigate potential risks.
During sunlight hours, solar panels and their electrical cables maintain high voltages even if the building’s system is turned off.
In exceptional cases of fire, firefighters must interrupt the electrical supply before extinguishing the fire, but the continuous voltage in the panels can pose a challenge.
Minimizing risks in photovoltaic systems
Studies have shown that fires in industrial infrastructures with solar panels do not usually originate from the photovoltaic systems themselves.
The most common causes of fires include:
- Electrical failures in heating equipment.
- Overheating of machinery.
- Lightning strikes and accumulation of flammable materials.
However, in the unlikely event of a fire linked to a solar system, the issue could stem from:
- Faulty or incorrectly installed connectors.
- Corrosion or overheating of components.
- Cables damaged by animals.
Therefore, modern photovoltaic systems must have module-level safety mechanisms to minimize any eventuality.
SolarEdge and its photovoltaic protection technology
Conventional inverters require additional installations to comply with safety standards, increasing costs and assembly complexity.
However, SolarEdge has developed an innovative solution based on individual panel-level power electronics.
Each module of the solar system is equipped with:
- Power optimizers, which maximize production and monitor each panel separately.
- SafeDC™, a feature that reduces the panel voltage to 1 V when the inverter or the building’s electrical system is turned off.
Thanks to SafeDC™, firefighters can safely intervene, even if the system is still exposed to sunlight.
This approach also eliminates the need to install additional protections, reducing costs and installation times.
Furthermore, remote monitoring of each module allows detecting and preventing failures without the need for physical intervention.
Photovoltaic safety in strategic projects
Energy security is essential when selecting a photovoltaic system, especially in sensitive installations such as hospitals.
For example, the Severo Ochoa University Hospital in Madrid chose a 1.73 MWp SolarEdge system, ensuring:
- Advanced protection with SafeDC™.
- Early detection of electrical faults.
This model ensures maximum reliability and efficiency, setting a precedent in sustainable hospital infrastructure.
Regulations and regulations on photovoltaic safety
As the solar industry advances, safety regulations become more stringent.
While each country defines its specific requirements, the global trend aims to:
- Improve safety in photovoltaic systems.
- Incorporate standards for detecting and interrupting electrical arcs.
In Europe, the mandatory use of advanced technologies to prevent fire risks and structural failures is being evaluated.
This regulatory evolution reinforces the importance of adopting safe solar solutions, ensuring the protection of assets and people without compromising energy efficiency.
With advances like those of SolarEdge, the transition to a sustainable energy model is consolidated as the future of the photovoltaic industry.
