Vegetation fire at NTPC solar plant near Bilhaur, Kanpur

What happened

A fire broke out in bushes at the 225 MW Vikram solar plant in Uttari Pura, Bilhaur, near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, India, according to a report in Dainik Bhaskar published on 25 October 2026. The report describes the plant as an NTPC solar plant. The fire was reported to have been caused by bushes on the site. Villagers said the site had become overgrown, which they said increased the risk of wild animals entering the plant and damaging nearby farmers' crops.

The report does not give the date of the fire, the area burned, or any damage to panels or equipment, and it does not mention injuries. The report also says an electrician was seen climbing onto a solar panel to make a video, which villagers said risked breaking the panel. Villagers said they would complain to the District Magistrate.

Contributing factors

Villagers alleged that the site had become overgrown and that cleaning was carried out only on paper since the Vatsa company arrived. These are allegations by villagers. The report gives no official cause and does not say whether the fire service, NTPC or the contractor has responded.

Lessons learned

1. Clear vegetation from under and around solar arrays and along site perimeters on a fixed schedule, so that dry growth does not build up as fuel for fire.
2. Check contractor cleaning and maintenance claims through independent inspection and records, not paperwork alone.
3. Prohibit unauthorised climbing on arrays, including for filming, and control site access for all personnel.

More lessons on maintenance, inspection and ageing assets, worker safety and safe systems of work, from every incident on the register.

Source

bhaskar.com