The Slovenian Association for Fire Safety (SZPV) hosted a seminar on the fire safety of solar power plants and three FRISSBE team members attended it. Aleš Jug, also the head of the SZPV, was the chair of the event, Grunde Jomaas, ERA Chair Holder in the FRISSBE project, was one of the presenters and Nik Rus, PhD student, attended as an audience member. The seminar was particularly well received with 150 attendees gathering for it at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia.

The seminar focused on the fire risks associated with solar power plants, which are becoming an increasingly important source of energy. More and more property owners are opting for solar power, and the European Commission is preparing a strategy to make the installation of solar power plants mandatory on all new and renovated buildings.

Research experiences and past fires indicate that installing a solar power plant on a building affects fire risks. The seminar presented the latest professional findings on the fire hazards of solar power plants, firefighters’ experiences in dealing with solar power plant fires, and tested preventive measures that significantly reduce risks.

The interest in the seminar exceeded the expectations since all available spots were filled. A repeat of the seminar is planned for January 2024.

The full agenda:

09.00 - 09.15: Opening greetings

    Aleš Jug (Head of the SZPV)

09.15 - 09.45 Fire risks and hazards

    Grunde Jomaas (ZAG, FRISSBE): Recent findings and research on solar combustion

09.45 - 10.15 Past fire events

    Anže Šilar (Medvode Fire Brigade) and Gregor Gomboši (Municipality of Medvode): Solar power plant fire on the outbuilding of the farm Mis

10.15 - 10.45 Fire safety in solar installation - 1

    Milan Hajduković (SZPV): Influence of solar power plant panels on the fire performance of roof coverings

10.45 - 11.15 Coffee break and discussion

11.15 - 11.45 Fire safety in solar installation - 2

    Aleš Robnik (IVD Maribor): Fire assessment when installing a solar power plant on a building

11.45 - 13.30 Prevention

•     Rudi Zorko, Janez Guzelj (Electrotechnical Association of Slovenia (EZS) (EZS-NNELI): Power plant administrator, first inspection of the power plant, integration of the power plant, preventive maintenance and periodic inspections of the solar power plant
•     Iztok Zajc (Ljubljana Fire Brigade): Creation of a fire plan for a solar power plant
•     Primož Potočar (Sončni sistemi): Practical examples - requirements and preventive measures that a provider can request and propose to solar power plant investors
•     Aleš Jug (SZPV and ZAG, FRISSBE): Draft of the guideline - fire safety of solar power plants

13.15 - 13.30 Discussion and conclusion of the seminar