South Africa is undergoing a solar revolution. With unreliable power supply and increasing electricity costs, over 4,400 MW of rooftop solar capacity has now been installed across the country – and that number is growing rapidly. For homes, businesses, and estates, solar energy offers a vital lifeline. But there’s an often-overlooked danger lurking in many of these installations: lithium-ion battery fires.
🔋 Why Lithium-Ion Batteries Are a Fire Hazard
While efficient and compact, lithium-ion batteries are highly flammable. If damaged, overcharged, or exposed to heat, these batteries can enter a state called thermal runaway – a self-heating reaction that leads to explosions and intense fires that are extremely difficult to extinguish with traditional methods.
In many cases, by the time someone notices the smoke, the fire has already become uncontrollable which might end up destroying property, putting lives at risk, and undermining the very purpose of investing in solar.
🚒 Fire Detection and Suppression Is Non-Negotiable
Most solar installations in South Africa are retrofitted into existing structures that weren’t designed with high-energy battery storage in mind. Without specialist fire detection and suppression systems, these setups are accidents waiting to happen.
It’s a dangerous misconception that a standard fire extinguisher will do the job. Most households and even commercial buildings are equipped with water or CO₂ extinguishers – neither of which is effective against lithium-ion battery fires. In fact, using the wrong extinguisher can worsen the situation or place the operator at risk. Specialist suppression agents, such as clean agents or dedicated Class D solutions, are essential and must be installed alongside detection systems that trigger early intervention.
🔍 A Growing Risk That Demands Expertise
Insurers are already starting to take a harder look at solar-related fire risk. In many commercial contexts, you may not even be covered if your fire protection is non-compliant or insufficient.
At Quantum Fire and Access, we’ve seen the risks firsthand and we know how to mitigate them. We offer:
- Early warning fire detection systems tailored to battery enclosures and inverter rooms.
- Specialist extinguishing systems designed for lithium-ion battery fires (not water or CO₂-based).
- Customised fire risk assessments for existing solar installations.
- 24/7 monitoring and servicing to ensure systems are always operational.
Whether you’re a homeowner, estate manager, or facilities operator, investing in the right fire safety solution is just as important as investing in your solar setup.