Fire departments in Brazil have begun enforcing new safety rules for solar energy systems.
According to Canal Solar, fire authorities in Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, Goiás, and the Federal District jointly issued a technical note mandating stricter installation and protection requirements for photovoltaic systems.
The standard encourages the use of rapid shutdown devices and retrofitting of existing systems to reduce fire risk.
Additional regulations are being developed in Mato Grosso do Sul and São Paulo, and another is awaiting publication in Rio Grande do Sul.
These measures apply only to commercial buildings, industrial facilities, and multi-family housing where operating licenses are required.
Fire departments stated that their oversight does not include standalone residential properties.
The technical note responds to repeated concerns about poor installation practices in Brazil’s solar sector.
Canal Solar reported that the regulations aim to reduce the incidence of electrical fires caused by installation errors in photovoltaic systems.
Companies have started issuing their own safety guidance to help prevent accidents.
Luis Magri, coordinator of the Solar Business Unit at Proauto Elétrico, presented detailed information on the topic during the 4th Canal Conecta conference in São Paulo, which began on October 22.
Magri said: “The integrator buys an inverter with a specific connector, but decides to purchase the cables from another supplier and more connectors from a third party. Is everything compatible?”
During the Canal Conecta event, Magri outlined several recurring technical errors found in photovoltaic installations.
He explained that crimping failures, damaged connectors, and mismatched components frequently cause fire hazards.
Magri said that connector issues were among the most widespread, especially where different manufacturers’ parts were combined without compatibility checks.
Regarding inverters and string boxes, he said mistakes often included improper tightening torque, damaged cable insulation, and incorrect sizing of components.
He also identified cleaning neglect and poor handling practices as risks to photovoltaic modules, noting that stepping on panels during installation could cause microcracks.
The fire departments clarified that the new technical notes are aimed at buildings where legal operating licenses are required.
This includes commercial sites, industrial premises, and apartment complexes.
The regulations do not extend to single-family residential properties, which fall outside the scope of the fire departments’ inspection responsibilities.
According to Canal Solar, the objective is to ensure buildings open to public or shared use meet consistent safety standards and are protected against electrical fires.
Magri emphasized the need for solar companies to take greater responsibility for system safety.
He said that many of the fire incidents could be traced back to simple, preventable issues.
Magri added: “These are common mistakes that occur every day, but they are directly responsible for many fires at photovoltaic plants.”
He encouraged the sector to prioritize fire prevention through improved installation protocols and mandatory use of protective components.
Proauto Elétrico stated that changes in practice across the industry were essential to supporting the fire department’s goals.
Brazilian fire departments have issued a technical note requiring new safety measures for solar energy systems.
The note was released by authorities in Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, Goiás, and the Federal District.
Mato Grosso do Sul and São Paulo are preparing similar standards.
Rio Grande do Sul has a draft regulation awaiting publication.
The rules mandate protective features such as rapid shutdown and retrofitting of existing systems.
They apply to commercial, industrial, and multi-family buildings.
Residential buildings are excluded from the new rules.
The Fire Department said the measures are linked to ongoing risks from poor photovoltaic installations.
Luis Magri from Proauto Elétrico discussed the issue at Canal Conecta in São Paulo.
He cited frequent connector, inverter, and module faults as key contributors to solar system fires.
Magri said these technical failures are common and preventable.
