Queensland, Australia Fire and Emergency Services attended to 64 fires relating to solar panels since January 2015. The rate is rising: They fought 15 such fires in 2015, 33 in 2016, and 16 in the first 6 months of this year. They report a lithium battery link to house fires involving solar panels. An industry expert blames ‘the gutter at the lower end of the market”. Victoria and New South Wales report similar trends, albeit at a lower rate.
Is Ambient Temperature Causing the Lithium Battery Link?
Queensland is on the ‘tropical side’ of Australia where temperatures are high in the northernmost part of the large peninsula.
We know that lithium batteries become warmer when working, so a higher ambient temperature could make the problem worse. But we need to know more. Why is this happening now?
Clues to the Lithium Battery Link to House Fires in Australia
The lithium battery link to house fires in Queensland comes at a time when interest in solar panels is rising. The Australian state saw approximately 6,750 installations in 2016, compared to around 500 the previous year.
A National Electrical Contractors Association board member believes the fire risk is higher if lithium batteries are part of the design.
“Start cutting corners and getting the cheap jobs is when the risk increases enormously,” he says. “Lithium-ion batteries are good products if they are manufactured well and if they are installed correctly. “But, if you start getting down in the gutter at the lower end of the market, the consequences are (large).”
Draft Rules from the Standards Australia Regulator
Standards Australia classifies lithium batteries as ‘Fire Risk Class 1’. It would like to see them at least three feet away from buildings in fire bunkers to limit the effect of lithium battery fires. The Australian solar battery industry supports the idea. The proposed rules are out on review with a return date of August 15, 2017.
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Using Solar Power to Cool a Home
Preview Image: House on Fire
