Solar Panel Safety: FG flags risks in rooftop installations
By: Abudu Olalekan
NEMSA warns Nigerians about fire hazards from bad solar installs. Reportersroom breaks down the new safety guidelines for rooftop PV systems.
Power is a mess right now. Everyone knows this. And because the grid keeps failing, more people are putting solar panels on their roofs. But there’s a catch.
According to reports from Reportersroom, the Federal Government isn’t happy with how things are going. They’re seeing too many fires. Serious ones. Linked directly to solar setups being installed wrong.
It came out in a really stern public notice. The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, NEMSA. They basically said stop it. Or else.
Basically, folks are trying to solve the blackouts problem by going off-grid. But the installation part is getting botched. Too much poor workmanship. Using substandard materials. Sometimes there are zero protective devices even involved. It’s risky business.
“The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency has observed with serious safety concern the increasing number of fire incidents allegedly linked to improperly installed rooftop solar photovoltaic systems across the country.” That’s what the Chief Electrical Inspector wrote. Hard words.
Now, look. Using renewable energy is good. We get it. It fits the transition goals. But safety? That comes first. Always.
So NEMSA pulled out the big guns based on the Electricity Act 2023. Specifically Sections 176 and 184. They released new guidelines. The gist is simple.
Only hire NEMSA-certified installers. If you can’t prove they’re certified, don’t let them touch your roof. They know the standards. Regular guys usually don’t.
The new rules are pretty specific about the actual work too. Before anything goes up on the roof, you need a load assessment. Figure out if the system is sized right. Make sure the roof itself can actually hold the weight. Weak construction means damage. Fire hazard. Big time safety risks.
Don’t skip the little details either.
For example, clearances matter. Keep at least 0.13m between the roofing material and the panels. Enough room to breathe so they don’t overheat. Because if it gets too hot, performance drops. Stuff melts. You might lose the whole setup.
Also, check the panels themselves. If a module has cracks, bent frames, air bubbles, or those annoying hot spots… don’t use it. Damaged modules equal faults. Faults lead to fire. Simple logic but people ignore it.
On the electrical side, you need DC and AC isolators. Emergency shutdown capability. Proper circuit breakers and fuses to stop overloads. Lightning protection too. Surge devices are a must. And grounding. Earth resistance value of 2 ohms or below. That’s the rule.
Then there are batteries. People love storing power overnight. But installing them near living spaces is dangerous. Keep them ventilated and secure. Away from heat sources obviously.
Lithium batteries need extra care. Install a management system. Cooling units if you have to. Air-conditioning helps maintain temps. Don’t let them cook.
If you’re retrofitting an existing house, be careful. If the solar system can’t handle the full household load, separate the loads at the distribution board. All cables need routing through conduits or trunking. Neatness counts for safety.
Another tip. Never run communication cables and power cables together in the same conduit. Signal interference happens. Performance degrades. Plus risk of fault goes up. Keep them apart.
Maintenance is key. Don’t just install and forget. Clean the panels regularly. Dust builds up, causes overheating. Check connectors, inverters periodically. Replace damaged bits immediately.
In the end, NEMSA made it clear. Installers and the public need to comply strictly. These aren’t suggestions. They’re essential for safety, performance, and sticking to the law.
Reportersroom will keep watching this space as enforcement kicks in. Because trust me, nobody wants to wake up to a burnt house because they skipped certification to save fifty bucks.
