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UK Solar Expansion Faces Fire Safety Concerns

11/1/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Mr. Miliband aims to raise the UK's solar capacity from 18 to 85 gigawatts by 2035, including rooftop installations.
In 2022, a rooftop solar fire in Church Crookham damaged three flats.
In 2024, 171 fires linked to solar panels occurred, up from 107 in 2022.
Inverters and lithium-ion batteries pose fire risks, especially when installations are poorly done, and the Department for Energy Security says the risk is low.

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Story summary

Mr. Miliband aims to raise the UK's solar capacity from 18 to 85 gigawatts by 2035, including rooftop installations.
In 2022, a rooftop solar fire in Church Crookham damaged three flats.
In 2024, 171 fires linked to solar panels occurred, up from 107 in 2022.
Inverters and lithium-ion batteries pose fire risks, especially when installations are poorly done, and the Department for Energy Security says the risk is low.