A photovoltaic requirement has been in effect for new residential buildings in Baden-Württemberg since May 1, 2022. The aim is a more sustainable energy supply and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, every household saves money. A win-win situation – right?
Solar systems save money and protect the environment
The number of photovoltaic systems on the roofs of residential buildings is increasing, and not just in Baden-Württemberg. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the share that photovoltaic systems made up of total electricity generation in Germany in 2022 was around 6.3 percent. The share has almost doubled since 2018, according to Destatis. In addition, 1.4 million private households are said to have earned money by feeding solar power into the grid in 2020. Regardless of this, it is clear that you can save money with photovoltaic systems because the electricity from your own solar system costs much less. According to the consumer advice center, a solar system is more profitable the higher your own electricity needs are.
It seems clear that photovoltaic systems save money and are more environmentally friendly thanks to solar energy. But do they also pose the risk of a significant fire?
Photovoltaic systems are not a source of danger
First of all, the all-clear can be given: fires in solar systems are rare and are only isolated cases – this was confirmed by Vanessa von Bremen from the Osnabrück fire department at the request of the shz portal. PV systems in residential buildings are usually equipped with lithium-ion batteries, said Ulrich Wolf from pvsafety in an interview with the news portal agrarheute. But lead-acid batteries or saltwater batteries are also possible and are even less susceptible to fires or explosions. But even when lithium-ion batteries are used, the risk of fire is quite low. If a system does catch fire, it is usually limited to the system itself, according to an article by mdr. The SWR reports that the systems’ storage facilities rarely catch fire. This makes it even more unlikely that houses will burn down completely. According to von Bremen, the myth that the fire department allows houses with PV systems to burn down in a controlled manner because of the electricity is not true. The fire department is trained and has appropriate strategies.
If you are still unsure, some measures can be taken to further minimize the risk of fire.
Precautions
Expert Ulrich Wolf recommends regular maintenance of electrical systems. It is also advisable to install smoke alarms in rooms with electricity storage. These rooms should ideally have a fire-retardant door and should not house any other equipment or systems. You should also refrain from installing a photovoltaic system yourself. Although this is not prohibited, it should be carried out by specialist craftsmen – also in order to maintain the guarantee of the systems.
If a fire does occur, the fire department should be alerted via the emergency number 112 and everyone in the building should be evacuated. It is important to mention when talking to the fire department that a PV system is installed on the roof and to have a possible plan of the system ready. If it is also possible, the power supply to the storage facility should be switched off and possible emergency switches should be operated, says Wolf.
J. Vogel / editorial team finanzen.net