Key factors in preventing solar module fires

Solar modules have been known to catch on fire, and there is reason to believe that the older a system is, the more likely problems like this arise. Recently, it was reported that solar modules on a Kalihi commercial roof caught on fire, and in an extreme case, solar modules at the UC Davis solar test site caused a 40-acre grass fire. These accounts should be a warning sign that protective steps are warranted to prevent the same from happening to your home or business. Pacific Islands Solar believes that a solar system is similar to your car in that it requires annual inspections to maintain optimum efficiency.

How does a solar module catch on fire? Most fires are started due to electricity arcing between two points in a solar system component, which ignites material within the system. Delamination in the module’s construction and failure of insulative materials also cause these fires, as well as hot spots, failure in junction boxes, poor contact between connectors and/or installation mistakes.

Another factor is Hawaii’s harsh weather conditions, often leading to the accelerated deterioration of components, prompting the aforementioned failures. Pacific Islands Solar’s modules have the ability to deal with salt, high-humidity, ammonia (from volcanic activity) and high-module temperatures. Choosing a solar system on price versus quality can be a grave mistake, and unfortunately, manufacturer warranties are not always a guarantee of quality.

What Pacific Islands Solar recommends is that the solar system be inspected on an annual basis to catch problems before it’s too late. Pacific Islands Solar provides this service with all of its systems for free (for a period of five years). The company also contracts for a small fee to perform these inspections for systems installed by other companies.

Pacific Islands Solar offers and recommends Kyocera Solar modules because of their high-quality, superior construction. Features such as potted junction boxes and extra rigid construction keep Kyocera’s modules from experiencing failures. Kyocera modules also are one of the few that have passed level-six salt-mist testing. Kyocera also has been the leading solar manufacturer in Japan for more than 38 years, and has a philosophy that puts quality first, while continuously working to improve products.

Pacific Islands Solar believes that the company has a responsibility to do what is right by the customer, by not installing cheaper products just to lower their price point to increase profits.

If you are in need of purchasing a solar system or want your current system inspected and cleaned, call Pacific Islands Solar at 841-7756. Receive responsible solar solutions and protect your investment, as well as your home or business.

PACIFIC ISLANDS SOLAR
contact // 841-7756
web // Pacificislandsconstruction.net