I’m Jim Foran, CEO and Co-founder of PVSTOP International. Through previous senior management roles and collaboration with leading fire departments, I gained firsthand insight into a fundamental problem: solar panels can’t be “switched off” during emergencies.
While circuit breakers and isolation switches disconnect downstream equipment, the panels themselves keep generating potentially lethal DC electricity whenever exposed to light – even when damaged or during active fires.
This creates what we call the “DC Danger Zone,” forcing first responders into defensive strategies that often mean allowing fires to burn rather than engaging with energized systems.
PVSTOP was developed to close this critical safety gap by stopping power generation at its source through our specialized light-blocking polymer coating.
Traditional electrical safety methods only interrupt the circuit downstream from panels, leaving the PV modules themselves live when exposed to light.
PVSTOP addresses the fundamental issue – we eliminate power generation entirely by blocking light from reaching the PV cells.
Jim Foran
There are only two ways to de-energize solar panels at source: turn off the sun or block the light. Our technology is effectively a liquid tarpaulin that can be applied safely from up to 10 meters away, instantly stopping power generation.
This approach has been validated by major fire services globally, including London Fire Brigade and the FDNY.
The Detect- De-energize- Extinguish (DDE) methodology represents a fundamental shift from reactive emergency response to proactive risk management.
Commercial rooftop PV systems are typically “out of sight and out of mind” until incidents are well-developed. Early detection through thermal monitoring and AI-enabled systems provides crucial warning, but detection alone is not enough – you need the capability to intervene safely.
That’s where PVSTOP bridges the gap. Once we’ve eliminated the electrical hazard at source, any fire suppression method can be deployed safely.
Jim Foran
PVSTOP isn’t just an emergency product; it’s the enabling technology that makes comprehensive fire suppression possible. The earlier an issue is detected and PVSTOP deployed, the better the outcome.
Don’t compromise on safety or environmental standards – ever. In our industry, you can’t cut corners on any aspect of safety, whether it’s life safety or environmental protection.
Invest in third-party validation and rigorous testing, even though it’s expensive and time-consuming. Most stakeholders are still unaware of the risks we address, so education is as important as the product itself.
Jim Foran
Build comprehensive training programs because technology alone doesn’t solve complex safety challenges.
Finally, remember that pioneering products often create entirely new market categories, so be prepared to educate your entire market ecosystem.
We’re anticipating tomorrow’s challenges while solving today’s problems.
Jim Foran
Our drone delivery system addresses accessibility issues with high-rise buildings, dangerous or difficult access scenarios and large-scale installations where manual application becomes impractical.
Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) represent a particular concern – when entire building facades become electrified solar panels, you could face scenarios like Grenfell but with the added complexity of electrical hazards throughout the building facade.
The drone system enables rapid response to coat affected areas and make them safe for emergency intervention. We’re also developing AI-enabled training platforms and specialized databases to scale our education globally.
