Government warns of fire risks in rooftop solar installations
The Federal Government has raised concerns about the growing number of fire incidents linked to poorly installed rooftop solar systems in Nigeria. The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) highlighted issues such as substandard materials, lack of protective devices, and non-compliance with technical standards. NEMSA has now issued comprehensive safety guidelines for solar installations. The agency urges the public to use only certified professionals to ensure safety and compliance.
TLDR
- The Federal Government, through NEMSA, flagged increasing fire incidents from improperly installed rooftop solar panels.
- Many incidents are linked to poor workmanship, substandard materials, and failure to follow technical standards.
- NEMSA now requires only certified contractors to install rooftop solar PV systems and mandates possession of a valid competency certificate during installation.
- Safety guidelines include proper load assessment, structural checks, use of undamaged PV modules, correct cable routing, and installation of protective devices.
- Regular maintenance, proper battery installation, and strict adherence to the new guidelines are emphasized to prevent hazards and ensure system performance.
