Fires involving solar panels in the UK have more than doubled over the past three years, with 212 incidents recorded in 2025, according to new research.
The figure represents a significant increase from 91 blazes in 2022, rising to 131 in 2023 and 155 in 2024, data obtained by business insurer QBE from fire and rescue services shows.
Most of these fires, 102 in 2025, occurred in houses fitted with solar panels. The leading cause identified was issues with cabling and connectors, accounting for 49 fires last year. The panels themselves were the cause of 36 fires, and battery banks contributed to 23 incidents.
This trend raises questions regarding the government's objective for all new build properties to incorporate on-site renewable electricity generation. An image from a doorbell camera shows fire ripping through solar panels on a newbuild house in Northamptonshire, in May 2026.
According to government records, approximately 1.9 million solar units were installed last year, a 52% increase from the 1.2 million installed in 2022. QBE noted that the rate of increase in fires is more than double the rate of solar panel installations.
Adrian Simmonds, Risk Manager at QBE Insurance, stated that installation quality and fire safety are not keeping pace with the rapid deployment of solar technology. He emphasized that safe installation and maintenance are crucial for reducing fire incidents, adding that fires are often spreading to the wider building.
"Solar energy is a key component to the UK's clean energy future and QBE fully supports its rapid expansion, but safety and risk mitigation must be the priority," Simmonds said. "Our research shows that fires are rising at more than double the rate of installations, with DC cabling and connectors as the leading cause, and fires are often spreading to the wider building."
However, a spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero insisted that the risk of fire from solar panels is very low, comparable to other household appliances like cookers. The department recommends that solar panels should always be fitted by a certified installer and highlighted their potential to help families save on energy bills.