In the second part of our series on deploying new technologies in data centers (as well as other relevant projects), we consider the presence of photovoltaic (PV) systems and how facility managers and asset owners can best approach the installation of this important equipment from a fire safety perspective. 

Data centers are such an essential piece in the function of many business applications and activities; providing network infrastructure, storage infrastructure, and computing resources (1). The significant on-site equipment required for data center operations, however, means that data centers are highly energy intensive. Meanwhile, energy prices remain high following a period of extreme price volatility globally in 2022, while energy security and sustainability have become increasingly important public policy issues, as demonstrated by the European Parliament’s upcoming legislation requiring EU member states to install PV on public and non-residential buildings (2). There are, therefore, clear and valuable incentives for asset owners to seize opportunities to maximise energy cost efficiency, optimise building performance, and fulfil the requirements of environmental impact assessments in planning applications. 

This is where PV systems come in.

Asset managers can reduce business outgoings, contribute to green energy production, and secure planning permission for new developments through investment in on-site renewable energy production. The uptake of PV systems is rising (3) and has also been encouraged by the shifting economics of the equipment, assisted by government incentives and the continued reduction in the unit cost of PV panels.  

When considering the use of PV systems in data centers, although they provide a welcome solution to the issues of energy cost efficiency and sustainability, they do, however, pose fresh challenges in ensuring fire safety which must be comprehensively addressed. These include: building regulations and building codes are lagging behind with regards to PV systems fire safety requirements; PV systems being retrofitted into existing buildings with unsuitable roof and insulation materials beneath; weak PV systems components; restricted access for fire-fighting; and lacking maintenance on the system leading to the accumulation of combustible materials (4). There have been a number of confirmed fire incidents on commercial rooftop solar installations, including PV installations on warehouses (5) and retail stores (6) and the need to take action could not be clearer. Any data center facility must consider the hazards when deploying PV systems particularly where the cumulative effect of risk may be significant.

For these reasons, it is, therefore, of paramount importance to consider a comprehensive range of fire safety mitigation and prevention planning measures when installing PV systems. Such measures include: robust specification, installation, testing and commissioning of the PV systems; regular inspections and maintenance; appropriate roof design; and restricted use of combustible materials (7).

To learn more about how Joule Group’s fire safety expertise could help you better protect your project, please get in touch with us at info@joule-group.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

References

1 ‘What defines a modern data center’, Cisco. Link: https://www.cisco.com/c/en_uk/solutions/data-center-virtualization/what-is-a-data-center.html

2 ‘European Parliament approves legal requirement to install solar on buildings’, PV Magazine. Link: https://www.pv-magazine.com/2024/03/13/european-parliament-approves-legal-requirement-to-install-solar-on-buildings/

3 ‘Rush for data centers creates US solar hotspots’, Reuters. Link: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/rush-data-centers-creates-us-solar-hotspots-2024-02-22/

4 ‘Solar panel systems and fire safety’, Building Research Establishment. Link: https://bregroup.com/insights/fire-safety-and-photovoltaic-systems

5 ‘Amazon took all U.S. solar rooftops offline last year after flurry of fires, electrical explosions’, CNBC. Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/01/amazon-took-solar-rooftops-offline-last-year-after-fires-explosions.html

6 ‘Walmart drops lawsuit against Tesla over solar panel fires’, The Verge. Link:https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/5/20949661/walmart-tesla-lawsuit-settlement-solar-panel-fires-solarcity

7 ‘Fire and Solar PV Systems – Investigations and Evidence’, Building Research Establishment. Link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5c90a30840f0b633ff9a3537/Fires_and_solar_PV_systems-Investigations_Evidence_Issue_2.9.pdf