By Ankil Sanghvi 

This article was originally published in PV Tech September 2024 Edition.

The inverter helps prevent fires in solar systems but can also cause them if not properly specified. Clean Energy Associates’ Ankil Sanghvi looks at the details of inverter architecture that should be investigated to prevent the worst from happening.

When a fire breaks out at a solar power plant, the consequences can be devastating—not just for the facility but also for the surrounding environment and local communities. Recent high-profile incidents underscore the urgent need to understand and mitigate these risks. 

Thermal events, including fires, have not only led to significant financial losses and operational downtime but have also raised serious questions about the safety and reliability of solar energy infrastructure in general. Understanding the root causes of such fires is crucial for preventing future tragedies and ensuring the continued growth of renewable energy. 

While many of these fires can be traced back to poor installation practices, Clean Energy Associates (CEA) has found deeper issues at play in our deep dives on behalf of customers in the wake of thermal events. 

Read the full PV Tech article.

Ankil Sanghvi is senior engineering manager at CEA. He is responsible for inspection and testing services, commissioning services, design reviews and test data analysis. Ankil’s team has completed 700 safety inspections on commercial rooftops, ground mounts, carports and utility systems across 13 countries. He has personally supported over 16 fire investigations as a PV expert onsite.