Is my rooftop installation safe, or would it ignite a fire and burn my house? Is my ground installation properly done, or will a fire destroy my investment? Can I sleep loudly or should I worry? Probably most of the owners of PV systems have these doubts.
Solar energy is electric power, and as any electric power, it can be unsafe. A primary cause of solar PV fires is electrical arcing occurring anytime there is a compromise of the electrical system's wiring or connections. The risk for arcs to occur increases over time. This can be attributed to the normal “wear and tear” that a solar PV system is subjected to, making system maintenance a priority. There are many factors that contribute to this condition:
- Corroded cables and connections (cables rubbing against vegetation or roof, birds/rats/insects, saltiness);
- Loose wiring;
- Improper cable support;
- Etc.
1,500V DC systems are the present and the future