Solar panels have been linked to dozens of house fires across Scotland, with 56 incidents involving solar equipment recorded over the past decade, including six so far this year. According to Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) data, 33 of these fires occurred in homes and other residential buildings across Scotland since 2016.
The figures come amid an installation boom driven by homeowners seeking to reduce their energy bills. While solar panel fires are rare, faulty wiring, cheap components and poor installation practices can turn rooftop systems into a serious hazard.
Residential Properties Account for Most Incidents
The residential tally includes 26 houses and two bungalows, which together made up almost half of all incidents in the last decade. Residential properties collectively accounted for nearly 60 per cent of the fires. Other residential sites affected included sheltered housing, a holiday property, a stately home and two incidents at nursing or care homes.
Solar-linked fires also occurred at a variety of other premises, including agricultural buildings, schools, industrial sites, a hospital, a prison, a furniture warehouse and outdoor equipment.
Safety Warnings from Fire and Insurance Experts
SFRS Deputy Chief Officer Ian McMeekin said: “We absolutely understand the desire for people to find alternative ways to supply energy to their homes.
“However, as with any electrical equipment in the home, anyone installing these systems should use qualified installers and equipment must be purchased from reputable retailers or trusted manufacturers. We would also advise that homeowners carry out regular inspections or arrange for a qualified specialist to check for damaged cables, loose connections, or other warning signs to reduce the risk of an electrical fire.
“This should be done alongside other fire safety measures – working interlinked smoke alarms and knowing what to do in the event of a fire.”
Adrian Simmonds, risk manager at QBE Insurance, added: “Safety and risk mitigation must be the priority. Our research shows 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.”
Recent Incidents Highlight the Risk
There are more than 240,000 residential and commercial solar installations across the country. The number of Scottish homes with panels has almost doubled since before the last gas price crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
In June, a mum and her teenage son were left “heartbroken” after a blaze linked to solar panels destroyed their Glasgow home in Dalmarnock. The fire broke out when panels on a neighbouring property caught fire and spread to their home.
Elsewhere, a house fire at Viewhill Meadows in Balloch, near Inverness, in July sent thick smoke billowing from the upper floor and roof tiles surrounding integrated solar panels. Fire crews also tackled a roof blaze at a property in Knoydart, Inverness-shire, in 2024, where panels were left heavily scorched and the building damaged.
In June 2022, Hawick High School was evacuated after a rooftop solar panel caught fire. Solar fires are often traced to DC cabling, faulty wiring, loose or degraded connectors and component wear.
