A solar power plant is an efficient and environmentally friendly solution for converting the sun's radiant energy into electricity. Today, power plants are being built in large numbers and have changed in size from solutions consisting of a few panels to solar parks, where a large number of solar panels are placed over a large area.
Open land, industrial sites, disused marshes, pastures and water areas are suitable locations for solar power plants. As the plant must naturally be located in an area where the panels are exposed to the maximum amount of solar radiation, it may also be exposed to the risk of fire from heat.
Particularly when the solar power plant is located far away from the infra-red, it is particularly important that an incipient fire is detected as quickly as possible. The sooner the emergency services can reach the site from a distance, the better the prevention of fire damage both at and around the plant.
Optional, but recommended
So far, there is no law on fire safety in solar power plants, but it is based on recommendations.
In 2023, the Partnership Network of Rescue Services published a fire safety guide for photovoltaic systems. The aim of the guide is to inform system owners, designers, builders and authorities about the risks of the systems and the key safety rules and guidelines. It also provides recommendations to enable rescue operations, to take into account the safety of rescue personnel and to achieve good fire safety, in the view of the emergency services.
The guide is not legally binding, but a consensus view on the application of the Rescue Act, reached in cooperation between the competent rescue authorities.
Making a solar power plant fire-safe with modern systems
Marko Hämäläinen, CEO of PAP, says that a functioning fire detection system is key to building fire safety into a solar power plant. "The system automatically alerts on changes in the fire safety situation at the site. The earlier it reacts, the better the damage caused by a fire can be prevented and minimised. The fire alarm systems we implement are addressable, interactive and scalable. We build them with Panasonic's top-quality, intelligent and modern system components."
In a solar power plant, a heat-responsive fibre optic cabling system is particularly suitable for ensuring fire safety. "The cable detects elevated temperatures in solar panels, cables or on the ground at an early stage and sounds an alarm as soon as the temperature thresholds are exceeded. Because the system is addressable, it tells the power plant's technical staff or the emergency services the exact location of an incipient fire. This helps to prevent the fire from spreading to a wider area."
The advantages of a heating cable system include not only its accuracy but also its reliability. "The cables work reliably even in harsh environmental conditions and, for example, can withstand temperatures of hundreds of degrees without damage or disruption."
Another good news for the owner of a solar power plant is that the heating cable system is a cost-effective solution that is easy to maintain. "The installation of the system is relatively simple, which keeps the cost of this phase of the work down. The cables do not require regular cleaning or calibration, which helps to reduce maintenance costs."
The best expertise, the best fire safety
According to Marko Hämäläinen, a solar power plant project planner should contact PAP from the very beginning of the project. "The earlier we get involved in the design work, the more direct the route to a final result that will ensure the best possible fire safety level for the power plant as soon as it starts operating."
Although there are currently no laws on fire safety in solar power plants, it is still high on the list of priorities for any smart power plant designer.
"PAP is a leading provider of fire safety solutions in Finland. Together with the project designer, we thoroughly understand the specifics and fire safety challenges of the power plant under construction, and design a modern, high-quality and reliable fire safety solution for the site. In addition to designing and implementing the system, we can also provide maintenance services, allowing the owner of the power plant to leave the fire safety of the site entirely to us."
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