They're often promoted as a clean and cost–effective solution to transition away from fossil fuels.But a recent incident might make you think twice before installing solar panels on your home. Terrifying footage has revealed the moment a set of solar panels on a £600,000 new–build home exploded while a family was still inside.Ring doorbell footage from earlier this week showed the roof of the property in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, bursting into flames.Neighbours described the terror of watching the family scramble to safety at about 10.30am on Bank Holiday Monday, as the temperature had already hit 22°C.Thankfully, nobody was injured in the explosion after an off–duty firefighter rescued three adults and one child from the four–bedroom detached house. Five fire crews then arrived and worked quickly to control the blaze.However, the incident raises important questions about the safety of solar panels – particularly as heatwaves become more common. 'The surge in installations, the introduction of batteries, the ageing of panels and components together with more extreme weather events mean solar panel incidents are likely to continue increasing,' warned David Whaley and Timothy O'Leary, lecturers in construction at the University of Melbourne in an article for The Conversation. Shocking ring doorbell footage captured the moment solar panels on a £600,000 new–build home's roof burst into flames The four–bedroom detached property in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire was destroyed by the blazeAlso known as photovoltaic panels, solar panels convert the sun's energy into electricity.And new figures released by the UK government this week show that their popularity is rising in Britain. Last year was the strongest year on record for solar deployment, with 269,000 installations completed across the UK.'Around 255,000 of these were rooftop solar – meaning at least 95% of all new solar was installed on homes, businesses and other buildings,' it explained. 'This equates to a new rooftop solar installation every 2 minutes throughout 2025.'While this shows that many Brits are embracing clean energy, Electrical Safety First has raised concerns about the safety of solar panels, which they describe as an 'evolving technology'. The first key issue lies in how solar panel systems run. 'As there is no switch to turn a solar panel system off, small issues such as leaves under the panels or an electrical fault can turn into big problems,' it explains on its website. Off–duty fireman Robert Shipman saw the smoke from his home nearby, went over and alerted the family Five crews and an aerial appliance from Moulton worked to swiftly put out the blaze Are solar panels safe? Experts from Electrical Safety First have raised concerns about the safety of solar panels, which they describe as an 'evolving technology'. The first key issue lies in how solar panels systems run. 'As there is no switch to turn a solar panel system off, small issues such as leaves under the panels or an electrical fault can turn into big problems,' the team explained.Secondly, most solar panels don't have built–in fire detection systems. This means any problems can rapidly escalate – as we recently saw with the fire in Northamptonshire. Electrical Safety First said: 'Most solar panels don't have an automatic fire detection system, so a fire can take hold quickly and spread before it is discovered. 'The design of some solar panel systems can also make it more difficult to reach a fire with water.' Secondly, most solar panels don't have built–in fire detection systems. This means any problems can rapidly escalate – as we recently saw with the fire in Northamptonshire. Electrical Safety First said: 'Most solar panels don't have an automatic fire detection system, so a fire can take hold quickly and spread before it is discovered. 'The design of some solar panel systems can also make it more difficult to reach a fire with water.'Earlier this year, the UK government carried out a review to investigate the fire safety implications of solar panels on rooftops. Worryingly, this flagged several factors that can increase the risk of a fire, including the 'gap height' (the gap between the panel and the roof), roof construction materials, and the configuration and spacing of the panel array.'In addition to technical and experimental insights, the review draws attention to practical challenges for emergency responders,' it added. 'PV [photovoltaic] systems operating on direct current, introduce persistent electrical hazards even after power disconnection. Last year was the strongest year on record solar deployment, with 269,000 installations completed across the UK'The presence of PV arrays can also obstruct firefighting access to the fire under the PV panel, impair ventilation systems, and if combined with battery storage, pose chemical or explosion hazards.'Based on the findings, the report's researchers made four key recommendations. Firstly, they recommend the use of non–combustible roof coverings beneath the solar panels. Next, they say there should be fire–resistant construction from the exterior inward to mitigate roof penetration. In addition, they say there should be guidance provided on the solar panel layout, including minimum gap heights and array segmentation to limit the spread of flame.Finally, they propose further tests that accurately reflect the modified fire conditions created by solar panels. So, what does this mean for you?According to Electrical Safety First, the most important thing for Brits considering solar panels is to choose the right electrician.Speaking to the Daily Mail, Luke Osborne, Technical Director at Electrical Safety First, said: 'Solar panel fires are generally rare occurrences and households should rest assured that if their installation has been undertaken by a competent professional and inspected and maintained regularly, then their set up should be perfectly safe.'However, like any electrical device, solar panels and their systems need to be maintained.'Faults can occur more generally from wear and tear over the years, given how exposed panels and their cables are to the elements. Loose connections and a build-up of debris, such as leaves, can all contribute to issues with solar panels later down the line, not only degrading the effectiveness of your system but also creating isolated hot spots and potential fire risk.'It's essential people make sure they know the person installing their solar panels is competent and capable of doing it to a high standard.'As with all new technology, it's not unusual for rogue traders to exploit households when interest in installing new devices might be at its highest. 'To protect yourself, always hire an electrician who is registered with a competent person scheme and qualified in solar PV installation, as this work is an additional qualification. 'Make sure your system is inspected every few years also, to highlight any wear and tear or faults that may have occurred. We recommend anyone with solar panels has them inspected by a competent and registered electrician at least once every five years.' How to make sure your solar panels are safe Choose a good inverter and ensure it is installed safely: The inverter turns the electricity from your panels into the normal power you use at home. It should be placed somewhere cool (like a garage instead of a hot loft if possible) because heat can shorten its life or cause faults. Ask the installer exactly where they plan to put the inverter and why. Check that it comes with a strong warranty (often shorter than the panels themselves).Insist on isolator switches for safety: These are emergency shut-off switches fitted near the inverter. They let you or firefighters quickly turn off the solar system if something goes wrong. Make sure the quote clearly lists these switches and confirm they will be installed properly.Buy from reputable manufacturers and installers: Solar panels are checked during manufacturing for cracks, weak spots, or 'hotspots' (areas that can overheat and potentially start a fire). Poor quality panels or bad fitting can lead to electrical problems.Only use MCS-certified installers. Ask to see details of the panel brand and read independent reviews. Avoid the cheapest unbranded options.Ensure proper sealing and waterproofing: The panels must be sealed correctly during manufacturing and installation so water cannot get in. Moisture can damage the electrical parts and create fire or shock risks. During the site visit, ask the surveyor how they will protect the connections from rain and weather. Check that all roof work is done neatly with no gaps.Make sure connections are not too tight or under pressure: If cables and parts are fitted too tightly, it can crack the panels or damage the cells over time. Use a qualified surveyor (not just a salesperson) to check your roof. Get everything written down in the quote.Check for a full technical survey of your roof: A proper survey looks at roof strength, shading, and any risks before installation. Weak roofs or poor fitting can lead to leaks, structural issues, or electrical faults. Never sign a contract before a full on-site technical survey. Ask the installer to explain any extra roof strengthening needed and get the cost included.See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceSource: Which?