The Bottom Line
Solar farm fires are extremely rare. Insurance industry data shows utility-scale solar installations have the lowest fire incident rate of any electricity generation technology.
Why Solar Fires Are Rare
Modern solar installations include multiple layers of fire protection:
- Rapid shutdown systems — Required by code, these cut power within seconds if a problem is detected
- Arc fault circuit interrupters — Detect electrical arcing before it can cause fires
- Proper spacing — Utility-scale installations have significant gaps between panel rows
- No combustible fuel — Unlike gas plants, there's nothing to burn
- Professional installation — Large projects are built by licensed electricians to strict codes
- Regular inspections — Commercial installations are monitored 24/7
What About Those Fire Videos?
You may have seen videos of solar panel fires. Context matters:
Most "solar fires" are actually:
- Rooftop installations (different technology, different risks)
- Improper DIY installations
- Fires from other causes that happened to involve buildings with solar
- Battery storage incidents (not solar panels themselves)
- Extremely old installations without modern safety features
Utility-scale ground-mount solar farms like Shepherd's Run use different equipment and installation standards than residential rooftop systems.
Compared to Other Energy Sources
| Energy Source | Fire Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solar (utility-scale) | Lowest | No fuel, passive operation |
| Wind | Low | Mechanical components can fail |
| Natural Gas | Medium | Combustible fuel on-site |
| Coal | Medium-High | Combustible fuel, high temperatures |
| Oil | High | Highly flammable fuel storage |
What Fire Departments Say
"Solar photovoltaic systems do not present a significant fire risk when properly installed and maintained." — National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Fire departments across the country have trained on solar installations. The main consideration is ensuring firefighters know how to safely de-energize systems—which is why rapid shutdown systems are now required by code.
Local Fire Safety
Projects like Shepherd's Run include:
- Coordination with local fire departments during planning
- Emergency access roads throughout the site
- Clear labeling and shutdown procedures
- Vegetation management to prevent grass fires
- 24/7 monitoring systems
The Real Question
The alternative to solar isn't "no risk"—it's continued reliance on fossil fuels, which have documented, serious fire and explosion risks, plus ongoing environmental damage.