White paper on solar panel safety offers guidance for risk managers

Zurich Insurance Group is recommending that commercial building managers and risk managers try to avoid the installation or integration of photovoltaic systems onto or into buildings until associated risks are fully understood and addressed.

The recommendation is included in Zurich Insurance’s recently released white paper on photovoltaic (PV) solar panel systems, information meant to help risk managers understand associated risks and how businesses can protect themselves against risks before moving forward with green technology.

Businesses across the world increasingly are turning to green technology for lowering energy costs and reducing their own carbon footprints, notes a statement from Zurich Insurance, a multi-line insurer that serves its customers in global and local markets

“Solar PV system use has increased three-fold over the last three years, which means more and more businesses need to understand the risks associated with them in order to help protect their property and business operations,” says Mike Widdekind, technical director, property for Zurich Services Corporation.

Zurich Insurance reports that photovoltaic systems are designed to supply usable electric power for a variety of purposes, using the sun as the power source. “When installed on or integrated into existing building components, the systems have unique characteristics that can introduce a variety of potential challenges and risks,” the statement notes.

Fire-related risks are among the top challenges associated with PV systems, Zurich Insurance notes, pointing out that the systems have more fire ignition sources and present more opportunity for fires to occur beyond the reach of standard fire protection and fire detection systems.

Although firefighters typically turn off all sources of electric power to the building when firefighting activities are under way, with PV systems, a complete shutdown of electric power may not be possible since the PV panels continue to generate current from either daytime sunlight or even night time fire service scene lighting.

Other details of interest include the following:

• risk managers need to be aware of unexpected structural loads not anticipated by codes and standards, such as snow or ice loads that accumulate in shaded areas below panels; and
• PV solar panel systems can be vulnerable to wind loads and susceptible to damage caused by wind borne debris.