Green Fail: Solar Panels Catch on Fire on High School Roof – Black Plume Seen for Miles (St Louis)

Gateway ^ | May 19, 2013 | Jim Hoft

[george76]

When Webster Groves High School purchased solar panels to put on the roof of the school, no one told them they could catch on fire!

The fire department was called on Saturday to put out the flames

...

Plumes of black smoke could be seen coming from the roof at Webster Groves High School Saturday. Firefighters say solar panels caught fire around 2:00pm. Nearby residents noticed the smoke and called the fire department.

The panels are above the new science wing.

[gorush]

It was meant to be a learning experience, and it was.

[bigheadfred]

i heard it was arson they are blaming it on someones sun

[BenLurkin]

If Baraq had a sun.....

[Norm Lenhart]

The irony is that smoke carried far more toxic chemicals into the atmosphere than 10,000 panels ever prevented.

[JRandomFreeper]

It's amazing for the 3 solar power systems that I've installed as a 'non-professional' that I've followed the national code and never had a catastrophic failure.

If anything went wrong, stuff just blew fuses and quit working. That only happened once because of wire scuffing in wind.

/johnny

[Just another Joe]

Missouri ping

Low volume ping list

FReepmail me to be on, or off, this list.

[WVKayaker]

...new science wing

Yep, NEW science!

I am a solar entrepreneur. BUT, my focus is on tried and true technology... HOT WATER! I guess now it has the additional benefit of not burning down the house!

[familyop]

How did they manage to mess up a module/array installation? Modules only should be a foolproof install with the required MC4 connectors.

[JRandomFreeper]

I think we're up to Idiots 12.4 now. Every time they make stuff idiot proof, they make better idiots.

/johnny

[bigheadfred]

if it catches fire it puts itself out?

[george76]

Government Union ?

[bigheadfred]

that must be an abrasive wind

[BobL]

For the panels themselves, I’m not sure what would burn...maybe wiring, but that’s about it. But a wiring short could spread to the tar on the roof and other combustibles...

[PAR35]

How did they manage to mess up a module/array installation?

Made in China?

[The Working Man]

I’ve had Solar Hot Water systems on both my Florida house and now my Kentucky Farm house. The technology is amazingly efficient even in the winter, (barring snow on the panel). I especially like the Heat transfer coils in the Hot water tank.

The system in Florida used direct water and I had one panel fail there due to a steam flash blowing out some of the pipes.

[JRandomFreeper]

Gentle wind, just constant, wire hitting a sharp edge at about 1 to 2 hz. It doesn't take long. Think Tacoma Narrows.

That's why they make zip-ties. My screw up.

/johnny

[Hardraade]

So it would be cleaner, safer and more effective with a woodstove?

Or even a coal burner?

[xrmusn]

The contractor says:

“If you are looking for someone to sue, you must sue God”.

I just installed the panels, I have no control of the sun.

Of course he is the same guy that said if we were to explore the sun we better go at night.

[Hardraade]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNnAvTTaJjM