Solar panel fears after three fires in schools in a year – but risk is ‘tiny’

One fire was reported at Sidegate Lane Primary School (Picture: Suffolk County Council) Parents and campaigners are becoming increasingly concerned about the dangers of solar panels installed on school roofs after multiple reports of fires linked to the devices. Town hall officials in Suffolk have switched off 80 solar panel systems at schools across the county after three fires broke out in less than a year. In Northumberland, another 81 systems were disconnected after a fire in a primary school last summer. Similar blazes in which solar panels were identified as potential factors have also been reported in Shropshire, Nottinghamshire and London over the past two years. The most recent fire broke out at Sidegate Lane Primary School, Ipswich, on June 24, when the school was evacuated after