A change in the fire requirements for solar panels now makes it possible to make better use of roof areas. The Danish Fire Protection Institute (DBI) has issued a correction sheet to Guide 39, in which the distance requirement for penetrations in the roof is reduced from 2.5 meters to 0.6 meters under certain conditions. This is stated by the Danish Solar Association in a press release.
The change is the result of a review work with the participation of, among others, the Danish Solar Association, TEKNIQ, DI Teknik & Installation and Danish Architectural Companies. According to the industry, the previous requirements have been a significant barrier and have in practice meant that up to half of the roof area in some projects has not been able to be used for solar panels.
Figures from the Danish Solar Association also show that the expansion rate for larger roof systems has decreased by 50 percent in the first months of the year compared to the same period last year.
- The revision of the distance requirements is an important step in the right direction. We have long pointed out that the previous requirements did not meet the real risk of fire spread, and therefore it is very good that DBI is now changing them, says Kim Slavensky, vice chairman of the Danish Solar Cell Association and CEO of Phønix Tag Energi.
Uncomprehensible new inspection requirement
However, it is not only good news that comes with the new guidance from DBI, the organizations say. Because at the same time as the relaxation, a new requirement for annual independent inspection of solar cell systems is being introduced, which must be carried out by a fire consultant. According to the industry, this can increase costs and make investments in solar cells less attractive.
The organizations also point out that the new inspection requirement can lead to increased bureaucracy and in practice become a new standard, even though the guidance is formally voluntary. At the same time, they are calling for documentation of the need, as only a limited number of fires related to solar panels have been registered in Denmark.
- The EU requires more solar energy in buildings, and Denmark has ambitious climate goals. Therefore, it does not make sense to introduce a new control requirement in Denmark if the justification is not documented in relation to risk coverage. Because then you make it more expensive and more difficult for building owners to install and operate solar panels, says Senior Chief Consultant Alexander Ulrich Severinsen, DI Teknik & Installation.
However, the industry players emphasize that they support high fire safety requirements, but are calling for greater proportionality between requirements and risk and better coherence with future regulation, so that the expansion of solar energy is not slowed down.
In Denmark, well over 100,000 solar panels have been installed, many of which have been in operation for 15-25 years.
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