Solar Panel Fears After Three School Fires in a Year

Growing Concerns Over Solar Panel Safety in Schools

Parents and campaigners are increasingly worried about the risks associated with solar panels installed on school roofs, following several reports of fires linked to these devices. The issue has sparked a nationwide conversation about the safety of renewable energy systems in educational institutions.

In Suffolk, town hall officials have taken decisive action by switching off 80 solar panel systems at schools across the county after three fires occurred within a year. Similarly, in Northumberland, 81 systems were disconnected following a fire at a primary school last summer. Fires involving solar panels have also been reported in Shropshire, Nottinghamshire, and London over the past two years, raising concerns about the reliability of these installations.

One recent incident took place at Sidegate Lane Primary School in Ipswich on June 24, when a staff member detected smoke and the school was evacuated. Suffolk Fire and Rescue confirmed that the cause of the fire was a solar panel on the roof, despite the panel having been installed in 2012 as part of a council program. This means it was well within the typical 25 to 30-year lifespan of modern systems.

Following this event, on June 25, Suffolk County Council announced a temporary shutdown of all solar panel systems installed in schools between 2011 and 2016. The council’s spokesperson stated that while there is no conclusive evidence linking the fires to the panels, the involvement of solar panels in each case prompted this precautionary measure. They added that the council had already been reviewing all solar panels and accelerated the process.

Solar panels were also considered a potential cause of a fire at Brooklands Primary School in Brantham at the start of the Easter holidays, although the official cause was recorded as “undetermined.” Similarly, they were suspected of causing a fire at East Bergholt Primary School in August 2025.

These incidents have led to increased scrutiny of the government’s plan to install solar panels at more than 250 schools and colleges across England. Under a scheme by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), solar panels had been installed in over 100 schools by March 2026. The initiative is part of a 10-year plan to improve school conditions and reduce energy costs.

The government claims that educational institutions will save up to £220 million over the lifetime of the solar panels. A spokesperson for DESNZ emphasized that the risk of fire from solar panels is very low, much lower than household appliances such as cookers. They stressed that safety is a top priority and that solar panels meet the highest standards.

DESNZ, led by Ed Miliband, clarified that none of the schools affected by fires were part of the Great British Energy programme, which aims to reduce energy bills so schools can invest more in resources.

A Green Party spokesperson told Daily News Lite this week that the risk of fire from solar panels is “tiny,” but admitted that “ageing and poorly-installed systems” are repeatedly causing problems. However, given the current climate crisis, with wildfires and red weather warnings across the UK, the spokesperson argued that removing solar panels would not be the right move.

“With wildfires raging across the UK because of climate change, we need to speed up, not slow down, our progress towards renewable energy,” they said. “Pausing the roll-out of solar panels would be a serious own goal for the government, and mean schools pay more for their energy for years to come.”

The National Education Union acknowledged that while such incidents are rare, the fact that they are happening at all is a cause for concern. They noted that solar panels do lower carbon emissions, reduce energy bills, and are a key measure in combating the climate crisis. However, they emphasized the importance of proper installation and maintenance to prevent issues.

Energy expert Tony Slade told the BBC that it is unlikely the panels themselves caught fire, as they are mostly made of glass. He suggested that fires were more likely caused by incorrectly sized or damaged wiring, or problems with the device that converts the power generated by the panels.

Slade explained that high air temperatures could impact solar panel systems, but most should have an ambient air temperature rating far exceeding expected levels. He added that until the cause of the fires is established, the Suffolk County Council’s decision is sensible. However, he clarified that this is not a renewable energy problem, but potentially one of electrical system specification, installation, and maintenance.