Firetrace International, a fire suppression technology provider operating in 35 countries and across five continents, is launching into the solar market.
Drawing on its experience in the wind industry, Firetrace is adapting its direct-delivery XD Fire Detection Tubing with cylinder and cleaning agent system out to solar farms. The technology has already been installed more than 23,000 times in wind turbines around the world.
These suppression systems protect clean energy assets and their electrical cabinets and components from initial fires that can rapidly spread, leading to costly and irreparable damage, up to a total loss.
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) the U.S. Solar market installed a record 23.6 GW in 2021, with another 50GW projected to be installed in 2022 and 2023.
While fire incidents generally remain infrequent, a study commissioned by the U.K. government and published in 2018 found that solar fires are both underreported and on the rise. Data from the U.S. Fire Administration showed a 36% increase in fires between 2017 and 2018.
The U.K. government study also found that most photovoltaic system fires start in DC isolators, connectors, cables and invertors, which are all components housed in the external containerized electrical cabinets of a solar farm.
“The cost of damage caused by fires at any clean energy facility is potentially enormous, from a financial, environmental and reputational standpoint,” said Ross Paznokas, global business development manager of clean energy at Firetrace International. “Firetrace has an excellent track record in its work within the wind sector, to protect turbines from fire with best in class suppression systems that mitigate the impacts of fire, protecting lives and livelihoods.
News item from Firetrace International
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