Converter failure sparks grass fire at Herrington Community Solar Farm, Schaghticoke

On the morning of 13 July, smoke was reported from the Herrington Community Solar Farm on Bracken Road in Schaghticoke, New York. Firefighters found dry grass burning beneath a row of panels, with a failed AC/DC converter identified as the ignition source. The converter developed an internal fault that produced a sustained direct current arc, generating enough localised heat to ignite dry vegetation below the array. The protective breaker tripped automatically, disconnecting the circuit and limiting the fire to about two acres of grass. Crews confirmed the site was de-energised before entering, then used ATVs and a water wagon to extinguish the blaze. There were no injuries, no damage to panels or other electrical equipment, and the fire did not spread beyond the site boundary.

Dry grass conditions beneath the array combined with a sustained direct current arc from the failing converter, which does not self-extinguish the way an alternating current fault does because the voltage never passes through zero.

1. Maintain a short-grass or cleared buffer around converter and inverter housings to reduce the risk of vegetation ignition from electrical faults.
2. Ensure DC-side arc fault circuit interrupters are functioning and regularly tested, since sustained DC arcs can ignite fires even with modern protection in place.
3. Automatic breaker tripping is a critical line of defence in limiting fire spread and should be verified as part of routine maintenance.
4. Fire services should confirm de-energisation before entry, since solar arrays continue to produce voltage even when disconnected from the grid.
5. Municipalities may reasonably require a documented compliance letter before allowing a site to restart after an electrical fire incident.

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