Going Solar?ByRaymond D. Matkowsky
This past September (2013), a meat warehouse here in New Jersey burnt to the ground. Fire Fighters were on the scene in minutes. However, they allowed the building and all its contents to burn for twenty-nine hours. Why? The building was equipped with rooftop solar panels.
Hazards For Fire Fighters
The fire chief would not allow his men to go up on the roof or enter the building. The fire chief, himself, said the outcome would have been different had the panels not been there. But, with them there the risks to his men were just too great.
First of all, power from the solar panels cannot be turned off. Even the light from the fire or equipment will keep the wires live. Since the panels emit DC current, the hazard of touching a wire is much greater.
Fire Fighters try to cut strategic holes in the roof of a structure in order to vent super-heated gasses out of the building. A solar farm on the roof blocks this common technique to quell a fire.
Another problem for Fire Fighters is the weight of the setup itself. On a roof weakened by fire, a collapse is imminent. You wouldn’t want anyone standing on it or be beneath it.
Insurance Considerations
Insurance companies consider solar panels themselves an increased fire risk. They also consider other liabilities such as theft of rooftop panels, environmental damage to the panels and surrounding areas, and the potential increase of a fire spreading to neighboring properties. If it is included in the policy, business interruption costs.
You do not want to leave your insurance company in the dark. Failure to disclose any relevant information can invalidate your policy.
Opting For A Solar Farm
If you decide to opt for solar energy, you may want to consider something other than a rooftop location.
Each situation is very individual. Proceed with “Due Diligence.” Total up the benefits of “going solar” versus all of the potential negative consequences. The benefits must be substantial! It is not uncommon to find that the installation will not pay for itself in ten, twenty, or in some cases thirty years. Also remember, one insurance claim can wipe out ten years worth of savings.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions drop me a line at rdm@datastats.com.
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