The number of solar panel fires attended by UK fire services has increased by 133% over four years, according to new research from global business insurer QBE.
Data obtained through Freedom of Information requests to UK fire services shows that firefighters attended 212 fires involving solar panels in 2025, up from 91 in 2022.
Over the same period, the number of solar panel installations increased by 52%, from 1.27 million to 1.93 million. Installations have since passed two million, reaching 2,047,225 across the UK by May 2026.
Residential buildings accounted for the largest number of incidents, with 102 solar panel fires recorded in 2025, compared with 87 in 2024.
Commercial property fires increased from 33 to 48, representing a 46% rise, while industrial property fires more than doubled from six to 14.
The number of fires spreading beyond the solar installation also increased significantly, rising from 33 in 2022 to 88 in 2025.
Adrian Simmonds, Risk Manager at QBE Insurance, said the pace of solar deployment needed to be matched by stronger attention to installation and maintenance.
“Solar energy is a key component to the UK’s clean energy future and QBE fully supports its rapid expansion, but safety and risk mitigation must be the priority,” he said.
QBE’s research found that DC cabling and connectors were the leading identified cause of solar panel fires in 2025, accounting for 49 incidents, compared with 26 in 2024.
Other reported causes included the solar panel itself, responsible for 36 fires, battery banks with 23 and inverters with 19.
QBE said loose connections, damaged cables and faulty wiring can lead to arc faults and other electrical failures.
The insurer is urging homeowners and businesses to use certified installers, carry out regular inspections and pay particular attention to cabling and connector quality.
QBE also highlighted the growing use of lithium-ion battery storage alongside solar installations.
The insurer warned that battery thermal runaway can result in rapidly developing fires that can be difficult to contain, particularly where storage units are installed in confined or poorly accessible locations.
Simmonds said battery storage installation location was an increasingly important consideration, particularly where equipment is difficult to inspect or access during an emergency.
QBE recommends that battery storage systems are installed in well-ventilated and accessible locations, while solar installations should be inspected following extreme weather events including high winds, hail and flooding.
The insurer also recommends ensuring firefighter switches and arc-fault detection systems are correctly installed and accessible, while avoiding combustible roof coverings or providing suitable fire-resistant separation.
The findings come as the UK continues to expand solar generation, with government policy targeting further growth in commercial and industrial rooftop installations as part of its Clean Power 2030 plans.
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