Solar emerges as growing source of home fires
Fires related to solar power installations now make up a quarter of all structural fires attended by Fire Force, reflecting the growing fire risk associated with the rapid expansion of residential solar systems in South Africa.
This is according to recent response data collected by Fire Force, a fire-response partnership between Discovery Insure and private firefighting and rescue service Fire Ops SA.
The report finds solar-related incidents now account for one in four structural fires attended by Fire Force.
Fire Ops SA and Discovery Insure point to ageing or faulty batteries, inverter faults, deteriorating wiring and electrical connections, and poor installation as key risks.
The increase comes as the number of South African households with solar systems continues to rise.
According to Statistics South Africa’s 2025 General Household Survey, about 675 000 homes now have a solar system, an 86% increase over three years.
De Wet Engelbrecht, CEO and deputy fire chief of Fire Ops SA, said the organisation has seen a sharp increase in solar-related structural fires over the past two years. “A quarter of all structural fires we respond to are linked to solar systems.”
The growing number of installations also means more systems are beginning to age, particularly those installed during periods of severe load-shedding.
Saqib Hossain, head of technical marketing at Discovery Insure, said homeowners need to recognise that solar systems require ongoing maintenance rather than being treated as once-off installations.