PV installations and the safety of residential buildings

Abstract

The dynamic development of the photovoltaic industry entails threats that have a direct impact on the safety of residential buildings. Appropriate design of a PV installation can be a challenge due to the multifaceted nature of this issue. The designer should take into account issues related to the selection of electrical parameters of the installation, adapting lightning and surge protection in accordance with applicable standards, ensure the optimization of the system in terms of efficiency and fire safety and calculate the mechanical stress on the rooftop. Unfortunately, most PV installations in Poland are built without any engineering project, which is allowed by the current law. In this article, we describe the results of simulations of real mechanical loads inflicted from the installation of PV panels on flat roofs for various regions of Poland. We also present the results of the simulation of the thermal impact of hot-spots on the roof surface, which can be a potential source of fire. In addition, we propose changes to the regulations that may increase the safety of PV installations mounted on the roofs of residential buildings.