Rooftop solar fire in Emerald prompts maintenance warning

What happened

A fire broke out on a residential rooftop solar system in Emerald, central Queensland, with flames and black smoke coming from the roof. An electrician confirmed that the fire began in faulty DC isolators. Occupants put the blaze out with a fire extinguisher and saved the home. The system had been installed about a decade earlier. The report notes that, since then, isolator design has changed, including breather valves introduced in 2018 to ventilate switches and reduce overheating.

Contributing factors

The homeowner said she had not known that regular maintenance checks were advised. The electrician attributed the fire to faulty DC isolators. The report states more generally that isolators can ignite if exposed to the elements, and that water ingress is a reason for annual checks. It does not confirm water ingress or overheating as the cause of this fire.

Lessons learned

1. Faulty DC isolators on a decade-old rooftop solar system can start a fire. Operators should replace isolators that lack breather valves introduced in 2018.
2. DC isolators exposed to the elements can ignite. Owners should arrange annual checks for water ingress.

Not yet known

• Exact cause of isolator failure
• Whether water ingress occurred
• Cost of repairs

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Source

ABC News (Australia) (abc.net.au)