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Public Safety (including fires) 29 Question What public safety issues arise from people's (including children) access areas where the solar arrays are installed? Can electrical and other equipment associated with solar projects cause electrical fires? Bottom Line. Large -scale ground- mounted arrays are typically enclosed by fencing This prevents children and the general public from coming into contact with the installations, thus preventing unsafe situations. The National Electric Code has mandatory requirements to promote the electrical safety of solar PV arrays The solar industry and firefighters provide training and education for emergency personnel to ensure that the proper safety precautions are taken More Information The National Electric Code has mandatory requirements for the electrical safety of solar PV arrays To protect intruders, Article 690 of the National Electric Code covers the safety standards for solar PV installation and requires that conductors installed as part of solar PV be "not readily accessible " With a large -scale ground- mounted array, a fence is typically installed around the system to prevent intruders Some communities have solar PV or signage by -laws that require identification of the system owner and 24 -hour emergency contact information DOER'S model by- law /ordinance requires owners of solar PV facilities to provide a copy of the project summary, electrical schematic, and site plan to the local fire chief, who can then work with the owner and local emergency services to develop an emergency response plan These measures can be combined with products to prevent theft of the panels. Some are very low cost options (fastener type) while there are other options that are more expensive (alarm system type) but also more effective The biggest potential risk associated with solar PV systems is the risk of shock or electrocution for firefighters and other emergency responders who could come in contact with high voltage conductors A 2010 study on firefighter safety and emergency response for solar PV systems by the Fire Protection Research Foundation, based in Quincy, Massachusetts, recommended steps firefighters can take when dealing with wiring and other components that may be energized The Solar Energy Business Association of New England (SEBANE) has been working to provide training and education to first - responders to identify and avoid potential hazards when responding to a solar PV fire For more information about toxics /fires, see the Hazardous Materials Section. Resources- "Moskowitz, P D and Fthenakis, V.M., Toxic Materials Released from Photovoltaic Modules During Fires Health Risks, Solar Cells, 29, 63 -71, 1990 21 " Solar America Board for Codes and Standards http / /www solarabcs org/ about /publications/ reports /blindspot /pdfs /BlindSpot.pdf "Fire Fighter Safety and Emergency Response for Solar Power Systems- Final Report" May 2010 Prepared by The Fire Protection Research Foundation 14