Solar panel on Sudarshan Setu bridge catches fire

What happened

A minor fire broke out on a solar panel on the Sudarshan Setu bridge connecting Okha with Bet Dwarka. Smoke and sparks were seen from a panel mounted on the bridge. Firefighters brought the blaze under control within minutes and it did not spread. No injuries were reported and traffic continued uninterrupted. Authorities are assessing the damage; a technical inspection of the solar power system is expected and the cause has not been confirmed.

Contributing factors

Preliminary inquiries suggest a short circuit, possibly linked to heavy rain. That has not been confirmed.

Lessons learned

1. After heavy rain, check exposed solar equipment on bridges and other open structures.
2. Keep a way to isolate panels on transport infrastructure so a small fire can be contained quickly.
3. Plan how traffic will be managed if a minor fire occurs on a bridge.

Source

The Times of India (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)