# Fire response company Fire Ops SA is warning of a sharp rise in structural fires linked to solar power installations. CEO and Deputy Fire Chief De Wet Engelbrecht says data by Fire Force indicates that one in four structural fires in South Africa is related to malfunctioning solar power systems. Engelbrecht emphasised that batteries, inverters and related equipment account for about a quarter of the structural fires. He urges homeowners to use qualified installers, maintain systems annually, install smoke detectors and never tackle lithium-ion battery fires themselves.
Data shows solar power systems linked to sharp rise in structural fires