Health and Safety FAQ

Solar panel fires are rare.  Most fire concerns stem from electrical components like wiring, connectors, and inverters, rather than the panels themselves. Codes and regulations can help manage these risks through design and installation standards.

Wisconsin follows NFPA 70, also known as the National Electrical Code (NEC).  The NEC protects people and property from electrical hazards through proper inspection and installation.  Sections 690 and 691 outline the requirements for the safe design and installation of PV systems.

Firefighters can prepare by completing solar-specific trainings like Solar PV Safety from the International Association of Fire Fighters, which uses online simulations to teach crews how to handle PV-related incidents.

Local governments can also negotiate with developers during the permitting process for additional emergency services training and equipment.

Solar panels do not pose meaningful toxicity risks to human health.  The lead in crystalline silicon modules (the majority of solar panels in production) is less than 0.1%, and the cadmium and tellurium in Cadmium telluride modules is also less than 0.1%.

In addition to being small amounts, solar panels have an annual breakage rate of ~0.04%.  When panels are damaged or cracked, the exposure point concentrations are still “several orders of magnitude below USEPA health screening values for soil, air, and groundwater.”  Most modern panels also pass federal “leachate” Toxic Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) tests, meaning they are not classified as hazardous waste at the end of their lifespan.  Studies have also shown that typical solar panels also do not pose a PFAS risk.

Stray voltage is a low-level electrical discharge from grounded metal objects.  The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) has a stray voltage testing protocol, and they require developers of projects 100 MW or larger to “discuss any plans to conduct stray voltage testing pre- and post-construction” in their Solar Energy Projects Application Filing Requirements.  While stray voltage can affect livestock, solar projects do not create stray voltage when correctly constructed.  NEC 690 is the wiring and grounding standard that is designed to eliminate this risk.

Solar panels are built and tested to withstand major weather events including storms, hail, and snow.  Hail damage is the largest extreme weather risk and cost to plant operators, and a combination of thinner panel designs and more extreme weather events are increasing the annual damage rates. The equipment owner is usually financially responsible for repairs and carries insurance for these risks. Landowners should ensure their lease agreements clearly state that they are not liable for weather damage to the system, and include any site cleanup requirements.