On 16^th April, the SONELEKT project officially began with a kick-off meeting at the Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute (ZAG) Fire Laboratory in Logatec. This Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) activity is funded by the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia and the Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief through the dedicated Fire Fund (Požarni sklad). The project is strategically designed to address the increasing fire risks associated with the rapid deployment of photovoltaic (PV) systems, particularly those installed onto existing building infrastructures. The meeting brought together project partners to finalise the operational roadmap for mitigating risks affecting households, public services, and the industrial sector.

The technical core of SONELEKT involves a multi-phase scientific analysis of typical fire scenarios and ignition mechanisms unique to rooftop solar installations. Researchers will conduct a comprehensive review of current legislative frameworks and guidelines, followed by a detailed analysis of historical fire data to identify common failure modes and development patterns. A significant part of the project’s methodology relies on large-scale laboratory fire tests at the Logatec facility. These experiments aim to quantify the impact of various parameters on fire dynamics, providing the empirical data necessary to understand how solar components interact with existing building envelopes during a thermal event.

Ultimately, the SONELEKT project seeks to translate these experimental findings into actionable safety protocols and legislative proposals. Supported by the Fire Fund, the initiative will produce specialised educational content for firefighters and fire safety designers, ensuring that first responders and engineers are equipped with advanced risk assessment tools. By bridging the gap between rapid technological adoption and fire safety science, the project aims to enhance the resilience of the built environment and provide a standardised technical foundation for future solar energy installations in Slovenia.