Solar-related structural fires now account for 1 in 4 structural fires, revealing a growing risk linked to home solar installations.

The finding is based on response data from Fire Force, a fire response partnership between Discovery Insure and private firefighting and rescue service, Fire Ops SA.

According to Statistics South Africa’s 2025 General Household Survey, around 675,000 homes now have a solar system, an increase of 86% in just three years.

“A solar system isn’t something that you install and forget about,” says Saqib Hossain, Head of Technical Marketing at Discovery Insure. “Many of these were installed at the height of loadshedding, and as these systems age, components need to be maintained and replaced where necessary to reduce fire risk.”

De Wet Engelbrecht, CEO and Deputy Fire Chief of Fire Ops SA, says they have seen a sharp increase in solar-related structural fires in the past couple of years. “A quarter of all structural fires we respond to are linked to solar systems.”

Fires can start in different parts of a solar system for different reasons, including ageing or faulty batteries, inverter faults, loose or deteriorating wiring and electrical connections, and poor installation. As lithium-ion batteries age or aren’t replaced in time, the risk increases, and these fires require very specific protocols for extinguishing.

At a live demonstration on Tuesday showing what happens when a lithium-ion battery enters thermal runaway – a rapid, self-sustaining rise in temperature that can result in an intense fire – Engelbrecht explained why these fires can be difficult to contain.

“Lithium-ion battery fires behave differently from conventional household fires. Thermal runaway can cause intense heat, toxic gases and the potential for fire to reignite even after it appears to have been contained.

“Homeowners shouldn’t attempt to manage a lithium-ion battery fire themselves. These fires require specialist knowledge and equipment. The priority should be getting to safety and getting professional help as quickly as possible,” said Engelbrecht.

“The first 15 to 20 minutes are critical. They can determine whether a fire is contained or spreads into other parts of the home, including the roof, where additional combustible materials can cause the fire to escalate rapidly.”

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