Electrical Safety in Properties With Solar Panels

Your home wiring carries alternating current (AC). Solar panels produce DC. AC falls to zero 100 times every second, which helps an electrical arc die out. DC does not fall to zero, so a DC arc keeps burning until something breaks the circuit. This is why DC faults in cables and connectors start fires.

A typical home system has these parts:

• Solar panels on the roof
• DC cables running from the roof to the inverter
• A DC isolator (a switch for the DC side)
• An inverter, which converts DC to AC
• An AC isolator and a connection to your consumer unit
• A battery, if you store power

Panels produce power whenever light hits them. Switching off the mains does not make the roof cables safe in daylight.

Fire Risk From DC Faults:

Loose connectors, poor crimping, and damaged cable insulation create heat. Connectors from different manufacturers do not always fit together safely. Water, birds, and squirrels damage cables over time. Heat builds at the fault and ignites nearby material.

Electric Shock Risk:

Damaged insulation and poor earthing expose people to live parts. Roofers, cleaners, and tenants face this risk when they touch cables or panel frames.

Inverter Faults:

Inverters run hot. An inverter in a cramped loft or a closed cupboard overheats. Keep the space around it clear and ventilated.

Battery Storage Risks:

A home battery adds stored energy to your system. Follow the manufacturer’s rules for location, ventilation, and clearance. Keep escape routes free. Ask your installer for written guidance when you add a battery.

Older Installations:

Older systems follow older rules. An inspector checks your system against the current edition of BS 7671. Wear and weather exposure also add risk to systems with many years on the roof.

BS 7671 Wiring Regulations:

BS 7671 covers the design, installation, inspection, and testing of electrical systems in the UK. Section 712 covers solar PV systems. Your installer works to this standard, and your inspector tests your system against it.

Building Regulations and Grid Notification:

In England, Part P of the Building Regulations covers electrical work in homes. Your installer must register the work through a competent person scheme or notify building control. Your installer must also tell your local network operator. Small systems follow the G98 process and larger systems need G99 approval before connection.

Certificates You Must Keep:

• Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC)
• MCS certificate, if you claim the Smart Export Guarantee
• Network operator notification
• Inverter and panel warranties
• Every EICR since installation

Landlord Duties in England:

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require you to:

• Have the fixed electrical installation inspected at least every five years
• Give tenants a copy of the report within 28 days
• Give new tenants a copy before they move in
• Complete remedial work within 28 days of an unsatisfactory report

An EICR checks the condition of fixed electrical wiring against BS 7671. Solar PV falls under BS 7671, but the scope of each inspection depends on what you agree with your inspector. The DC cables sit on the roof, and an inspector needs safe access to test them.

Take these steps when you book:

• Tell the inspector you have solar panels.
• Ask whether the inspection covers the DC cables, the isolators, the inverter, and the battery.
• Ask what happens if the inspector cannot reach the roof.
• Get the answer in writing.

• A burning or hot plastic smell near the inverter or consumer unit
• Scorch marks, melted cable sheaths, or discoloured connectors
• Buzzing, crackling, or hissing from the inverter or isolators
• Inverter error codes or repeated shutdowns
• An RCD or breaker tripping on sunny days
• Cracked panels, loose cables, or panels moved after a storm
• Damp near the inverter or on loft cables
• Droppings, nests, or chewed cables near the panels

What to Do If You See a Warning Sign:

1. Follow the shutdown steps in your inverter manual.
2. Keep people away from damaged cables and panels.
3. Do not touch or repair anything yourself.
4. Call a qualified electrician the same day.
5. If you see smoke or flames, call 999 and tell the fire service you have solar panels.

Solar panels add duties and questions to your landlord checklist.

• Confirm who owns the panels. Some rent-a-roof schemes leave ownership with a third-party company. Ask the owner for inspection and maintenance records, and agree in writing who handles repairs.
• Show tenants where the isolators sit and who to call in a fault. Tell them not to touch cables or climb to the roof.
• Keep your records in one place: EIC, MCS certificate, network notification, EICR, and manuals.
• Fix every C1 and C2 observation within 28 days. Our team handles EICR remedial work at fixed prices.
• Test your tenants’ appliances if you supply them. See our Electrical Portable Appliance Test.

Solar panels raise the energy rating of a property. Landlords cannot let a domestic property rated below E without a valid exemption under the MEES Regulations. Check your rating with an Energy Performance Certificate. New builds and major works need SAP Assessments.

Do Solar Panels Increase the Risk of Fire?

A well-installed and maintained system carries a low risk. Faulty connectors, damaged cables, and inverter faults rank among the known causes of solar related fires. Regular inspection finds these faults early.

Do I Need an EICR If I Have Solar Panels?

Landlords in England need an EICR at least every five years. Homeowners face no legal duty, but an EICR confirms your electrical safety.

How Often Should Solar Panels Get an Electrical Check?

Book a full inspection every five years, or sooner after storm damage, roof work, or new electrical work. Check your inverter display every month.

Is It Safe to Clean or Touch Solar Panels?

Do not climb on the roof. Panels carry live DC power in daylight. Hire a qualified cleaner with roof safety equipment.

What Happens to My Solar Panels in a Power Cut?

A standard grid-connected system shuts down in a power cut to protect engineers working on the network. Systems with a battery backup work differently, so read your manual.