Homemade panel fire

[Mike90250]

Photos say it all. Homebuilt panels on a roof. were up a couple of days, then "lit up".

This is why house mounted panels need UL cert. Any why I don't encourage folks to build their own.

Poor cell construction / tabbing / wires / plexiglass / wood, plus Sun = Fire

[Jason]

thanks for posting those pics Mike...that looks bad!

i think it's important to have a visual for people before they jump in thinking they can beat the system by building their own and power their house.

[ArtlessWilbury]

Is this a definition of solar heating?

That is a great photo. I'm horrified by these scam websites that claim you can build your own panel for $200 and not pay any electricity bills any more.

Incidentally, if you want a chuckle about these sites, a spoof of the solar scam web sites that explains exactly why you can't build your own panel for $200 and do everything these sites claim can be found at http://www.diysolar.com/

[Jason]

that's hilarious

is that your site?

that's a GREAT domain! I'm sure it's just a temporary page until they make some good use of it.

Thanks for joining Solar Panel Talk, I appreciate it

[ArtlessWilbury]

No, this is not my site - I came across it a few weeks back and it made me chuckle!

[russ]

Fantastic!

[Aussie Bob]

Is this a definition of solar heating?

Ziiiiiiiiiiiiiing.

That is a great photo. I'm horrified by these scam websites that claim you can build your own panel for $200 and not pay any electricity bills any more.

Well you probably could build one panel for $200, but you'll need a lot of those panels to not have any more power bills. You'd have to go off grid if you wanted to use your own home made panels, as you wouldn't be able to grid connect with home made panels.

Incidentally, if you want a chuckle about these sites, a spoof of the solar scam web sites that explains exactly why you can't build your own panel for $200 and do everything these sites claim can be found at http://www.diysolar.com/

Buwhahahahahahaha. They have a killer domain too.

[Aussie Bob]

. . . that's a GREAT domain! I'm sure it's just a temporary page until they make some good use of it.

I think they're getting some pretty good use out of it now.

But yeah, a killer domain for sure.

[philpaine]

Hi Mike
Very sobering! As someone who experienced an electrical fire in their house 12 months ago (nothing to do with solar) I have seen first hand just how quickly a fire can catch hold, even with fire boarding in place, and how much damage it can cause. My fire cost my insurance co.

[indalecio.feng]

Bad DIY.

Looks like there is no glass for the modules, right Mike?

[Jason]

the person this happened to is asking for privacy regarding this matter due to legal reasons, so no further information regarding this specific fire will be given out. the point of the pictures are to show you what can happen with homemade panels on your roof.

[Mike90250]

Bad DIY.

Looks like there is no glass for the modules, right Mike?

Glass is not fireproofing, wood, glass, sloppy construction, would have caught fire just as readily.

[dglad4]

Is this a definition of solar heating?

That is a great photo. I'm horrified by these scam websites that claim you can build your own panel for $200 and not pay any electricity bills any more.

Incidentally, if you want a chuckle about these sites, a spoof of the solar scam web sites that explains exactly why you can't build your own panel for $200 and do everything these sites claim can be found at http://www.diysolar.com/

Site; WIN

[RifRaf]

the fire looks like a good reminder for anyone trying to make their own panels, they have surely been made inadequately and very lucky the house was not burnt down. would never advocate the making of panels using any wood, plexi, or large air gaps for stuff to happen in.

i have found it very hard to burn the following things used in properly constructed panels, ie. tempered glass, aluminium , tin bus wires and lead solder, the cells are hard to burn, though it appears with enough heat as in the early pictures that they disappear a bit somehow, maybe just crack up into small bits? will test the sylgard soon, its the only part i cannot comment on yet cause cannot find the big saved dry bits to test fire on

[Sunking]

are solar panel fires an issue with UL listed or certified panels?

Not near as much as DIY panels, but the difference is using a UL panel installed by licensed contractor, inspected by the local authority in a insured structure gets your house rebuilt. You have lots of people with deep pockets to fund it and are liable for any damages and injury: Manufacture, city code agency, bonded contractor, and home owner insurance carrier. With a DIY panel you get to keep making house payments for a pile of ashes and liable for all damages and injuries.