Union has 'grave concerns' after solar panel fires

A union has expressed "grave concern" for the safety of pupils and teachers after fires involving solar panels occurred at several schools.

Firefighters were called to Sidegate Primary School in Ipswich on Wednesday after a solar panel caused a fire on the roof, while several other recent fires at schools were similarly linked to solar panels.

The National Education Union (NEU) Eastern Region said it had raised its concerns around solar panels "for months" and called for an independent investigation.

A spokesperson for Suffolk County Council said there was "no firm evidence" the school fires had been caused by the same issue and it had already begun to switch off solar panels at 80 schools.

The 100 members of staff and 650 pupils at Sidegate Primary were evacuated and accounted for following Wednesday's fire.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue said afterwards that it had "confirmed beyond reasonable doubt that the cause was a solar panel on the roof".

Fires at Brooklands Primary in Brantham in March and at East Bergholt Primary in August 2025 were also both linked to solar panels.

The NEU said it had contacted the county council in April to request urgent reassurances and a clear plan of action, but said the issue was delayed for further discussion.

NEU Suffolk joint branch secretary, Wendy James, said it was "deeply troubling that no decisive action was taken until after a third fire occurred in a fully occupied school".

"While we welcome the Local Authority's decision to now disconnect affected solar panels, this is a reactive measure that should have been undertaken much sooner," she added.

The county council said it had taken the decision to temporarily switch off all solar panel systems that were installed in 80 schools between 2011 and 2016.

Its spokesperson said there was "no conclusive evidence" linking the school fires.

"However, the involvement of solar panels in each case has prompted this precautionary action," they added.

"We were already in the process of carrying out a review of all solar panels and have accelerated the work that was already underway.

"Solar panels at 80 schools will all be switched off within two weeks."

Tony Slade, an energy expert, said it was unlikely the panels themselves had caught fire as they were mostly made of glass.

He said solar panel fires would more likely be caused by incorrectly sized or damaged wiring or problems with the device that converts the power generated by the panels.

Slade said batteries could catch fire, but it would usually be down to a fault.

As well as this, he explained high air temperatures could have an impact on solar panel systems, but most "should have an ambient air temperature rating normally greatly in excess of expected".

"Until the cause of the fires is established, the council's move is sensible," he said.

"However, this is not a renewable energy problem, but potentially one of electrical system specification, installation and maintenance."

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