The case in summary: The Norwegian Electricity Authority has found faults and deficiencies in around three out of four solar cell systems in the last three years. Research shows that if current developments continue, Norway can expect many fires in solar installations in the future. A study from 2021 based on statistics from Germany, Italy, Australia and the USA shows that these countries experienced 29 fires a year for every GWh of installed solar power. Many installers are inexperienced and there is a need for more training in electrical safety. The Directorate for Community Safety and Emergency Preparedness is aware of the challenge of many errors and deficiencies in solar cell systems. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – There are many facilities that are faulty. 130 pairs of eyes are directed at Magne Håland, the head of the local electricity authority (DLE) in Agder. The big screen shows discouraging numbers. Magne Håland, the head of the local electricity authority (DLE) in Agder. DLE in Agder found errors in 76 percent of the inspections on solar cell systems in 2022, and 63 percent of the inspections in 2023. – We have found errors and deficiencies in around three out of four solar cell systems we have checked in the last three years. That worries me, says Håland. Norway has approximately 28,000 solar cell systems. Most have come up in the last two years. This is becoming an increasingly common view of Norwegian buildings. R. Kjeldsberg Photo: Glen Musk In Sørlandsparken outside Kristiansand, over a hundred men and a few women sit in a conference hall. The Norwegian Electricity Authority has felt obliged to invite them here. It is important to keep up with the swings of the green wave. In Sørlandsparken, over a hundred men and a few women sit in a conference hall to learn more about solar cells. Photo: Espen Bierud / news 300 annual fires – Research shows that if current developments continue, we will have to expect many fires in solar installations in the future. The literal fire torch comes from Reidar Stølen. In addition to writing a PhD on the topic, he also works professionally with research on fire safety and solar cells. Reidar Stølen, researcher at Rise Fire Research. He is also taking a doctorate at NTNU on solar cells and fire. Photo: RISE Fire Research He refers to a study from 2021 based on statistics from Germany, Italy, Australia and the USA. Here it was shown that these countries experienced 29 fires a year for every GW of installed solar power. – For Norway’s part, this means that we will experience many fires linked to solar cell systems. Maybe as much as 300 a year in ten years. For several years, Stølen has researched fire safety and solar cells. One of the findings is that solar cell systems on buildings increase the risk of fire. – We are working to reduce the risk, which must be in proportion to the utility value of the solar cells. The state has a stated goal of 20-fold solar power compared to what we have today. The research is discussed on forskning.no. Reidar Stølen has been involved in several fire safety projects on solar cells, such as this one. Photo: RISE Fire Research Stølen says there are no particularly good public statistics, but that he has scoured the media and found about ten solar cell-related fires in the past year. news has written about several of them. Many people need courses In Kristiansand, Jan Cato Hovde is on stage. He travels around the country and holds courses in electrical safety. He also believes that we have challenges when it comes to solar power. Jan Cato Hovde, general manager of Rejlers Elsikkerhet AS, travels around the country and holds courses in electrical safety. Photo: Espen Bierud / news – Much of what we see from faults in solar systems can be called childhood diseases. The industry is relatively new in this country and many installers are inexperienced. Hovde talks about solutions and pitfalls for around two hours. The electrical fitters from all over Southern Norway follow closely the deep dive into regulations and rules. Electricians and fitters pay close attention to the deep dive into regulations and rules. Photo: Espen Bierud / news – The goal is better and safer solar cell installations going forward, says initiator Magne Håland. Are the installers not good enough today? – The short answer is no, and the results of the surveys we have carried out show that. Although the market is growing strongly and customers are in demand for the products, the installers are obliged to familiarize themselves thoroughly with the regulations that apply. One of Norway’s 28,000 solar systems. The errors must be uncovered The Directorate for Community Safety and Emergency Preparedness is central to creating the rules for electrical safety in Norway. They say they are aware of the challenge of many errors and deficiencies in solar systems. – It is primarily important that as many of the faults as possible out there are found, says Trond Liestøl Larsen, who is chief engineer at DSB, region south-east. Trond Liestøl Larsen is chief engineer at DSB, region southeast. Photo: Espen Bierud / news He follows along from the back row at the electrical safety course. – It is important to get the installers’ knowledge out there. We believe and hope for an improvement in knowledge and thus also a reduction in potential fire danger in the coming years. Magne Håland in Glitre Energi says the percentage of errors in their inspections of solar systems is well above the percentage of errors in housing and new construction. The consolation is that the development is going in the right direction. – Although there is a slight positive development from 2022 to 2023, the figures are far from good enough. We still have a long way to go. Magne Håland, head of the local electricity authority (DLE) in Glitre Nett Photo: Espen Bierud / news
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The Norwegian Electricity Authority finds fault with almost three out of four solar systems – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
