Resolving safety concerns and keeping people safe at solar installations

08 Feb 2024

Intertek Clean Energy Associates ('CEA') audits rooftop solar installations, identifying significant risks and providing safe and effective solutions.

Intertek CEA has identified a variety of problems at solar installations around the world, noting that because most are caused by poor installation practices, many can be resolved relatively easily before they lead to fires, safety risks and potentially costly liabilities.

Our audit of more than 600 commercial rooftop solar systems in over 12 countries found that nearly all, 97%, had 'major' safety concerns. The leading concerns were related to grounding issues, damaged modules, cross-mated connectors and poor terminations. All of these factors could lead to dire consequences, with hazardous equipment or current leakage leading to increased maintenance requirements and significant system downtime from short circuits or inverter faults. But more importantly, they could also endanger on-site personnel and significantly disrupt the businesses operating under the rooftop systems, so any risk identified must be remediated urgently.