Solar Safety Alert: What the Wembley IKEA Fire Tells Us About Installation Standards 

So on 16th October 2025, around 250 people were evacuated from the IKEA store in Wembley after approximately 100 solar panels on the roof caught fire. Five fire engines and around 30 firefighters from the London Fire Brigade tackled the blaze, which started just after 10:30am and was e xtinguished by 12:44pm. Thankfully, nobody was injured. 

But here’s the thing: this incident has sparked (excuse the pun) renewed questions about solar panel safety, installation standards, and what the renewable energy boom means for fire risk. And honestly, as more homes and commercial buildings get solar panels installed, we need to talk about this properly. 

The Wembley Incident: What Actually Happened 

The London Fire Brigade received about a dozen calls alerting them to the fire. Firefighters from Park Royal, Wembley, Willesden, and North Kensington fire stations attended. A 32-metre turntable ladder was used as a water tower to help extinguish the fire from above. 

Images from the scene showed thick plumes of black smoke billowing from the roof. A small part of the roof sustained some damage. The precise cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the LFB has not yet confirmed whether it was due to a technical fault in the solar panels, wiring failure, or another source. 

But the fact that approximately 100 solar panels were involved makes this one of the more significant commercial solar-panel incidents in recent memory in the UK. 

How Common Are Solar Panel Fires? 

Let’s put this in perspective before anyone panics. According to government data, in the UK there were 66 fires caused by solar panels in the first half of 2023. Sounds alarming, right? But given there were 1.417 million properties (domestic and commercial) with solar panels by the end of June 2023, this means only 0.00005% of systems experienced a fire. 

Between 2020 and 2021, the UK fire service saw a 12% increase in the number of fire incidents relating to solar panel systems, with a further rise in 2022. But here’s the crucial context: solar installations have been growing massively. In 2022 alone, 130,596 solar panels were mounted on UK rooftops. This one-year growth was equivalent to the growth experienced in the three years between 2019 to 2021 combined. 

So yes, incidents are rising. But so is the number of installations. The question is whether the rate of incidents per installation is increasing, staying stable, or (hopefully) decreasing as standards improve. 

What Actually Causes Solar Panel Fires? 

A 2019 government-commissioned study by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) analysed 80 solar panel fire incidents. Here’s what they found: 

58 were directly caused by the PV system: 

• 22 led to serious fires 

• 27 led to localised fires 

16 involved PVs but were not directly caused by them: 

• 15 led to serious fires 

In total, 38 incidents were serious fires, 33 were localised fires, and 9 were thermal events. 

Just six of the incidents took place at solar farms. The other 74 took place in buildings. In total, these incidents led to 13 injuries, including three fatalities. 

The main culprits? 

DC isolators: The greatest fire risk, cited as the probable cause of 26 of the 80 fires. These were mainly due to poorly designed and installed isolators. 

DC connectors: The second major fire risk, causing five probable and seven possible fires. 

Installer error: More than a third (36%) of fires were attributed directly to problematic installations, with just 12% down to faulty products and 5% down to system design. The remaining 47% could not be attributable to any one root cause. 

Electrical arcing: The most likely cause of fire overall. This is where electricity flows through an air gap through ionised gas molecules and becomes hot enough to cause combustion. Arcing commonly occurs when electrically conducting parts become physically separated by mechanical movement or misalignment, which can be the result of poorly completed installations. 

The Installation Problem: Why Quality Matters 

Here’s what’s really concerning: the majority of solar panel fires aren’t because the technology is inherently dangerous. They’re because of poor installation. 

As Alistair Bambrook, risk management director at Towergate, noted in 2025: “If solar panels are installed correctly by a certified installer and regularly maintained, they should operate effectively with few issues. Problems arise when panels are installed incorrectly, using poor-quality components, or when electrical connections are not secured properly.” 

The 2019 BRE study found that poor installation accounts for the majority of DC isolator failures leading to fires or thermal events. External DC isolators were particularly vulnerable because they had to be set up by the installer and were more exposed to the elements. Water ingress into the isolator casing significantly increased fire risk. 

The good news? Modern inverters now have DC isolators that are fully integrated, which is a much safer design. Any competent installer should be using one of these inverters. 

What This Means for Electricians: BS 7671 Compliance Isn’t Optional 

If you’re training to become an electrician or you’re already qualified and thinking about adding solar PV or battery storage to your skill set, this is where BS 7671 compliance becomes absolutely critical. 

The 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS 7671:2018+A2:2022) include specific requirements for solar photovoltaic systems. These aren’t just suggestions. They’re legal requirements for safe installation. 

Key areas covered include: 

• Isolation and switching (Section 537): Proper isolation of PV arrays, including requirements for DC isolators 

• External influences (Section 522): Protection against environmental factors like water ingress 

• Connections (Section 526): Ensuring all electrical connections are secure and suitable for the application 

• Earthing and bonding (Section 411): Proper earthing arrangements for PV systems 

• Inspection and testing (Section 6): Verification that the installation complies with BS 7671 

If you’re doing your NVQ Level 3 or your 18th Edition course at Elec Training, you’ll be covering these requirements. And honestly, with solar installations booming (1.5 million UK homes had solar panels by February 2025), this is work that’s not going away. 

The Apprenticeship and Training Angle 

For apprentices and those doing T-Levels in electrotechnical pathways, understanding solar PV safety from the ground up is crucial. You’re not just learning about domestic socket circuits anymore. You’re learning about: 

• DC systems (which behave differently from AC) 

• Rooftop installations (working at height considerations) 

• Grid integration (battery storage, export, smart systems) 

• Fire safety protocols specific to PV 

The Energy Transition Skills Hub in Aberdeen (which we covered in a recent article) includes training on renewable energy systems precisely because the industry needs electricians who understand both traditional electrical work and emerging technologies. 

At Elec Training, when we’re placing students into work for their NVQ portfolios, employers increasingly want to see awareness of renewable energy systems. Even if you’re not specialising in solar installation immediately, understanding the basics is becoming part of being a well-rounded, employable electrician. 

Battery Storage: The Next Safety Frontier 

Whilst we’re on the topic of solar safety, let’s talk about battery storage. Because honestly, this is where the next wave of safety concerns is likely to emerge. 

Lithium-ion battery systems for home energy storage are becoming increasingly common as part of solar installations. These systems store excess solar energy for use when the sun isn’t shining. Great for energy independence and reducing bills. 

But lithium-ion batteries, if damaged, improperly installed, or poorly maintained, can experience thermal runaway, leading to fires that are extremely difficult to extinguish. 

The Office for Product Safety & Standards (OPSS) is the UK Government’s enforcement authority for battery safety standards. But as these systems proliferate, the quality of installation becomes critical. 

For electricians, this means: 

• Understanding battery management systems (BMS) 

• Proper ventilation requirements for battery enclosures 

• Correct DC wiring and isolation 

• Emergency shutdown procedures 

• Regular maintenance and inspection protocols 

If you’re thinking about specialising in renewable energy work, battery storage installation training needs to be on your list alongside solar PV. Our EV installation course covers some relevant principles around DC systems and battery technology that transfer to home storage systems. 

What Needs to Change: The Industry Perspective 

Looking at the data and incidents like the Wembley IKEA fire, here’s what needs to improve: 

1. Installer Competency

With 36% of solar fires attributed to installation errors, the competency bar needs to be higher. This means: 

• Proper qualifications (not just short courses) 

• Regular CPD and updates on new technologies 

• Enforcement of MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) standards 

• Consequences for cowboy installers cutting corners 

2. ComponentStandards 

The shift to integrated DC isolators is positive, but older installations with external isolators remain a risk. Retrofitting or upgrading these systems should be encouraged. 

3. Inspection Regimes

Commercial buildings with solar installations should have regular inspection protocols, not just a “fit and forget” approach. The Wembley IKEA incident involved a large commercial installation. Were there regular inspections? What was the maintenance schedule? 

4. Training Integration

BS 7671 compliance needs to be embedded from the start of electrical training, not bolted on later. Apprenticeships and T-Levels should include practical solar PV installation experience, not just theoretical knowledge. 

5. Reporting and Data

Fire incidents involving solar need better tracking and analysis. The government data collection has improved, but underreporting (particularly in ground-mounted arrays) remains an issue. 

The Elec Training Approach: Safety from Day One 

At Elec Training, we take BS 7671 compliance seriously across all our training. Whether you’re doing your Level 2, Level 3, or adding specialist skills like EV charging, understanding electrical safety regulations is non-negotiable. 

When we place students into work through our in-house recruitment team, we make sure they’re going to employers who follow proper safety protocols. Because the last thing we want is for our l earners to be pressured into cutting corners on installations that could become fire risks down the line. 

If you’re thinking about specialising in renewable energy work, we’ll help you build the right foundation: 

1. Core qualifications first: NVQ Level 3, 18th Edition, ECS Gold Card
   
   
2. Then specialist add-ons: Solar PV, battery storage, EV charging
    
3. With employment support: Our recruitment team connects you with employers who value quality installations, not just speed 

Growth Without Compromising Safety 

Solar panel installations in the UK are growing rapidly, and that’s genuinely positive for renewable energy targets and carbon reduction. But growth without proper safety standards is unsustainable. 

The Wembley IKEA fire is a reminder that as we roll out green technology at scale, we need electricians who are p roperly trained, installations that comply with BS 7671, and a culture that prioritises safety over shortcuts. 

For electricians, the opportunity in renewable energy is real. But it comes with responsibility. Cutting corners on solar installations doesn’t just risk your reputation. It risks lives and property. 

Want to train in solar PV and renewable energy the right way? 

Call us on 0330 822 5337. We’ll give you an honest assessment of what qualifications you need, how to build competency safely, and how to access the renewable energy work that’s growing across the UK. 

No shortcuts. No cowboy tactics. Just proper training that keeps you, your clients, and the public safe. 

Because honestly, the renewable energy transition is too important to mess up with poor installations.