Industrial standards institute told to guide public on buying solar panels

Pimphattra emphasised that the government prioritised promoting the production and use of clean and renewable energy. In recent times, both businesses and households have been encouraged to install solar rooftop systems. The migration is not only expected to help reduce energy costs but also decrease greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, many businesses and individuals have shown interest in installing solar panels.

However, as solar panels are responsible for producing electricity to power household appliances, using non-standardised panels or installing them without adhering to expert standards may lead to fire incidents.

Pimphattra has now instructed the Department of Industrial Standards, as the agency responsible for overseeing product standards, to clarify and provide knowledge to the public on choosing standardised solar panels.

TISI secretary-general Wanchai Panomchai said that there could be several causes for solar panel fires, but the main reason was inconvenient electricity flow due to multiple panels being connected together. If any panel has a problem, it can lead to electrical pressure from various places flowing together at that panel. This accumulation of pressure can generate excessive heat beyond the solar panel's capacity, leading to ignition and subsequently spread to other panels. Therefore, the safest approach is to choose standardised panels certified by the TISI, as they have undergone testing for heat resistance, ignition, and fire propagation, Wanchai said.

TISI has two standards for solar panel products: Thai Industrial Satandard 61215 1 (1) – 2561, focusing on performance and the ability to generate electricity, and Thai Industrial Standard 2580 2-2562 on safety. This standard includes requirements related to heat resistance, fire prevention, operation in high temperatures, leakage protection, preventing the spread of fire, and systems to prevent overheating.