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Solar PVUnited StatesEIR-1364

Solar panel fire at Olympia schools prompts remote learning

Apr 2023Published 28 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor

MinorElectricalProvisional
Estimated damageEstimated by the register's adjusterHow? Know the real figure?
Figure hidden: shown to subscribersLow confidence
out of service for about •• daysShown in the record →Full estimate
From the recordMade by hiddenRoot cause hiddenFailed part hidden
Where
Olympia high school and middle school, Olympia, Illinois
Manufacturer
JinkoSolar
What
Solar panels caught fire on 13 April 2023
Injuries
None reported
Response
Crews had the fire under control in 23 minutes

What happened

Solar panels caught fire at Olympia high school and middle school on 13 April 2023. Crews kept the fire under control with extinguishers until a certified solar electrician disconnected a malfunctioning inverter. The fire was brought under control in 23 minutes. Students were evacuated and were reported safe. Both schools continued remote learning during the week of 24 to 28 April. Which building the panels were on, and the extent of damage, were not reported.

Contributing factors

A malfunctioning inverter had to be disconnected before the incident could be fully dealt with. Why the inverter malfunctioned, and whether array layout contributed, were not reported.

Lessons learned

  1. Have a qualified solar technician available to isolate inverters or arrays during a fire.
  2. Plan how firefighters will reach and isolate rooftop solar equipment.
  3. After a school solar fire, confirm the building is safe before students return.

More lessons on electrical protection and isolation, fire suppression and firefighting, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

  • Why the inverter malfunctioned
  • When pupils returned to school
  • Cost of the damage

This entry is updated when these are reported. Get an alert for the next one like it.

Source

cities929.com

Other entries that name Olympia

Published 2026-09-28. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.

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Chart to reuse with this story: Solar PV incidents in the United States, by year, free with a credit (PNG).

Solar PV incidents in the United States: 154 entries, with a free alert for the next one.

Solar farm fires: the counts, the latest entries and a free alert for the next one. Also: solar inverter fires.

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