Following a May incident in Gütersloh, Germany, where a firefighter was injured by electric shock during a blaze at a site with photovoltaic roof tiles, another fire broke out at a home fitted with solar tiles on June 9 in Kleve.
The fire affected a single-family home and required about 65 firefighters, who worked for nearly five hours to extinguish the fire. Initial reports of a balcony fire escalated after crews arrived and found the roof structure involved.
According to Kleve fire department spokesperson Florian Pose, the roof included integrated photovoltaic tiles and a green roof system, which complicated firefighting by making hotspots harder to detect and prolonging operations.
The fire remained confined to the roof, and the interior was not affected. All occupants evacuated safely, and no injuries were reported. The cause is still under investigation.
During the operation, firefighters partially dismantled the roof to reach hidden hotspots and fully extinguish the fire. The intervention lasted until about 7:00 p.m., after which the fire was out and the road was reopened.
One key challenge with integrated photovoltaic roofs is that the modules continue generating voltage when exposed to sunlight. “When the sun is shining, these modules are always energized,” said fire department spokesperson Florian Pose.
Unlike standard rooftop systems where panels are mounted above the roof, solar tiles are built into the structure itself. This makes access more difficult and complicates ventilation and firefighting tactics.
The Kleve fire came just weeks after a similar incident in Gütersloh, where a firefighter suffered an electric shock while dismantling photovoltaic roof tiles during a roof fire. The firefighter was treated in hospital and did not suffer serious injuries.
The Gütersloh case highlighted broader risks linked to building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), including persistent electrical generation during daylight, hard-to-access conductors, and the need to remove structural roof elements during firefighting.
While European fire services have developed protocols for photovoltaic systems, the growing use of integrated solar solutions is introducing new operational challenges.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].
Comments
Please login to comment
Thursday, July 9, 2026
11:00 am – 12:30 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, June 18, 2026
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Be part of the high-level European conference on solar and energy storage, exploring bankable BESS projects, warranties, and energy management for residential and C&I sectors
Monday, June 1, 2026
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm CEST, Berlin, Madrid, Paris
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, June 11, 2026
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
10:00 am – 11:00 am CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Friday, June 12, 2026
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Monday, June 15, 2026
9:30 am – 10:30 am CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
6 am – 7:00 am CEST, Berlin
The new pv magazine Global May issue is now available!
Mountains to climb
Available in print and digital formats.
Entries open in seven categories: Modules, Inverters, BoS, BESS, Manufacturing, Sustainability, Projects.
April 01 – August 31, 2026
A two-day conference in Austin, Texas, bringing together leaders in US solar manufacturing, equipment specification, and factory execution.
Saudi Arabia is accelerating its clean energy transition—join the SunRise Arabia Clean Energy Conference 2026 in Riyadh to explore how solar PV and energy storage are powering its digital economy.
Showcase your brand across all our platforms: from 13 websites in 7 languages to our magazines, daily newsletters, industry events and more. Reach your audience the right way!
We are participating in Intersolar 2026 again this year! Visit us at our Booth Hall 2 A2.250 to discuss the latest trends within the photovoltaic industry with the pv magazine team.
June 23-25, 2026 | MUNICH, GERMANY
You have no items in your basket.
