Photovoltaic systems face rising insurance costs and fire safety concerns

Recent incidents and insurance data highlight growing concerns regarding photovoltaic (PV) systems. Following a fire at a straw warehouse in Pegau, Germany, officials clarified that while the silicon solar panels themselves are not flammable, the plastic components surrounding them can ignite. Firefighters face additional risks, including potential electric shocks and debris from bursting panels being scattered by heat-induced updrafts.

Parallel to these safety concerns, insurance data from VHV Allgemeine Versicherung indicates rising costs in the construction sector. Damage costs have increased by 34 percent over the last five years, reaching 136 million euros in 2024. One investigated case revealed that the use of non-UV-resistant standard cables instead of specialized solar cables, combined with a lack of arc fault protection in inverters, led to significant damage. While the number of reported professional liability claims in 2024 was not a record high, the average cost per claim has risen from approximately 10,710 euros in 2010 to 13,739 euros in 2024.