New research from insurer QBE has highlighted a sharp rise in fires involving solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, with incidents increasing at more than twice the rate of new installations across the UK
Data gathered through Freedom of Information requests to UK fire and rescue services (FRSs) found that firefighters attended 212 solar panel-related incidents in 2025, compared with 91 in 2022, representing a 133% increase over four years. By comparison, the number of solar panel installations rose by 52% during the same period.
Against the backdrop of the UK government’s ambitions for decarbonisation and clean power strategy, including the installation of solar panels in new-build homes, QBE noted that solar installations had surpassed two million for the first time in 2026.
Notably, the research also found that residential properties accounted for the highest number of solar panel-related incidents in 2025, with 102 fires recorded. Adrian Simmonds, Risk Manager at QBE Insurance, warned that the rise in solar power installations must be matched by a corresponding focus on safety.
"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.”
The figures also point to notable increases in commercial and industrial settings. Solar panel fires at commercial properties rose from 33 incidents in 2024 to 48 in 2025, an increase of 46%, while industrial property fires more than doubled, rising from six to 14 over the same period.
The FOI data revealed that DC cabling and connectors were the most common cause of solar panel fires in 2025, accounting for 49 incidents. This was followed by fires linked to the solar panels themselves, battery banks, and inverters.
Simmonds added: “Our research shows that fires are rising at more than double the rate of installations, with DC cabling and connectors as the leading cause, and fires are often spreading to the wider building.
“It is clear installation quality and fire safety are not keeping pace with the speed of deployment. Safe solar panel installation and maintenance are essential to reducing the number of fires."
With loose connections, damaged wires, and faulty wiring leading to arc faults and other electrical failures, Simmonds emphasised the importance of building owners using certified or MCS-accredited solar panel installers and maintenance inspectors.
The growing use of lithium-ion batteries and battery energy storage systems within solar installations was also highlighted. QBE stated that solar panel fires were not only becoming more frequent, but more severe. According to the data, the number of fires that spread beyond the solar installation nearly tripled between 2022 and 2025, increasing from 33 to 88 incidents.
“As battery storage becomes an increasingly common feature of solar installations, the risk of severe, fast-spreading fires is likely to grow,” the insurer warned.  
Simmonds added: "Battery storage is now commonplace in new solar systems, but installation location is a critical and often overlooked risk factor. Units placed in confined or hard-to-access spaces, combined with infrequent inspection, create the conditions for fires that are both more likely and harder to contain."
In response to the findings, QBE urged homeowners and businesses to adopt recognised fire safety measures, including checking that firefighter’s switches and arc-fault detection systems are correctly installed and accessible, and avoiding mounting solar panels on combustible roofs or ensuring proper separation and fire-resistant barriers.
The insurer also recommended using certified solar panel installers, carrying out regular inspections and maintenance, and ensuring appropriate battery storage arrangements were in place.
 
 
 
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