QBE Reports 133% Increase in PV-Related Fires in UK from 2022 to 2025
QBE analysis reveals a 133% rise in fires linked to photovoltaic systems in the UK between 2022 and 2025. This trend is concerning as the number of installed systems grew by only 52%, indicating potential underlying risks in existing installations.
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QBE's data shows that UK fire services recorded 212 fires related to photovoltaic systems in 2025, a significant increase from 91 fires in 2022. Faulty DC cabling and connectors were responsible for 49 of these incidents, while 36 were caused by solar modules, 23 by battery storage systems, and 19 by inverters.
The total installed base reached approximately 1.93 million systems in 2025, rising to over 2 million by June 2026. This equates to fewer than 0.07 fires per 1,000 systems. The growing presence of lithium-ion battery systems further complicates fire risks, with 1,760 battery-related fires reported in 2025, highlighting challenges for emergency response in such scenarios.
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