Brush fire damages solar panels at Bennington solar farm

What happened

On 27 February 2024, multiple fire agencies responded to a rapidly spreading brush fire in a cornfield near a solar array off West Road in Bennington. Dozens of panels were in the path of the fire, and several sustained fire damage. Crews contained the fire before it spread to more panels. An energy company was asked to turn off solar power feeding nearby homes. The fire also led to evacuation of an adjacent electronics manufacturing facility. A resident used a bulldozer to cut a fire line. About two acres of field were burned. No one was injured. The cause remains under investigation.

Contributing factors

The fire chief believes the fire started in a cornfield near the solar array. He said it was coming down a hill and that crews were concerned about a neighbouring building. The cause is under investigation.

Lessons learned

1. Maintain clear vegetation management zones around solar arrays to reduce ignition risk from external fires.
2. Establish rapid isolation procedures with the operator to de-energise arrays during nearby fires.
3. Pre-plan access for heavy equipment to create firebreaks on rural solar sites.

Source

cbs6albany.com