Vegetation fire injures two at solar plant near Villamediana

What happened

A vegetation fire broke out within a photovoltaic plant about 2 km south of Villamediana, in Spain's Palencia province. It was reported at 12:49 p.m. local time. The Civil Guard, the Palencia Provincial Council Fire Department, regional environmental emergency services and medical personnel responded. Two people needed medical attention, one for smoke inhalation and one after fainting. Local authorities said the fire was confined to vegetation inside the plant perimeter and was brought under control. Authorities have not identified the plant. The cause, and the extent of any damage to the solar facility, have not been disclosed.

Contributing factors

The cause has not been disclosed.

Lessons learned

1. Vegetation inside a solar plant perimeter can burn and injure people even when damage to electrical equipment has not been established.
2. Operators should keep vegetation controlled and agree emergency access and response arrangements with local services.
3. Until the site, the cause and any equipment damage are reported, treat those points as unknown rather than as confirmed.

Source

pv magazine (pv-magazine.com)