UK solar panel fires rise 133% amid increasing installations

Research from insurer QBE indicates that solar panel fires in the United Kingdom have increased by 133% since 2022. While solar installations grew by 52% during the same period, reaching over 2 million by May 2026, the frequency of fire service call-outs rose from 91 in 2022 to 212 in 2025.

Residential properties saw the highest number of incidents, though commercial and industrial fires also increased. QBE identified DC cabling and connectors as the leading cause of fires in 2025, followed by the solar panels themselves, battery banks, and inverters. The insurer also warned that lithium-ion battery storage poses additional risks due to potential thermal runaway.

Regarding performance, solar panels do not operate more efficiently in extreme heat. While bright sunlight increases electrical current, rising temperatures can cause voltage to drop, slightly reducing overall efficiency. Most panels are designed to operate between -40C and 85C, but generally perform best when cells remain near or below 25C.