Reflection on Industry Safety Following Recent Fire Incidents in Germany: Module-level power electronics Technology as a Key Solution

Recently, two fire incidents involving photovoltaic (PV) systems occurred in northern Germany and the suburbs of Cologne. According to local fire department reports, these incidents have highlighted significant technical shortcomings in traditional PV systems, particularly in emergency shutdown capabilities and concealed fire source control.

Follow-up interviews conducted by the Northern German Fire Department revealed that the PV system installed on the roof of the affected warehouse continued to generate electricity autonomously even after the grid was disconnected, causing flames to reignite multiple times. Firefighters were forced to use cranes for high-altitude component removal, resulting in a lengthy operation that lasted up to seven hours before the fire was brought under control. This process not only complicated rescue efforts but also posed safety risks to the firefighters.

In a garage fire that occurred in Cologne's Elsfleth district, the area surrounding the PV installation was completely destroyed. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether energy storage devices exacerbated the fire. These incidents have exposed the safety hazards associated with traditional string inverter systems, particularly their inadequate emergency response capabilities.

Technical Shortcomings of Traditional PV Systems

1. Inadequate Emergency Shutdown Capability During a fire, traditional PV systems fail to quickly cut off power, leading to continued electricity generation from the components and increasing the risk of fire reignition.
2. Difficulties in Controlling Concealed Fire Sources Fire sources may be hidden beneath the PV components, making it challenging for traditional firefighting methods to effectively control the blaze, especially under high temperatures and bright light conditions.
3. Lack of Real-Time Monitoring and Early Warning Mechanisms Existing systems often lack real-time monitoring for each component, making it difficult to detect anomalies promptly, which leads to the accumulation of safety risks.

Advantages of Module-level power electronics Technology

In light of these reflections and the need for improvements, Module-level power electronics (MLPE) technology is regarded as a key solution to the safety hazards of traditional PV systems. Its main advantages include:

1. Intelligent Monitoring and Fault Detection MLPE technology can monitor the operational status of each PV component in real time, promptly identify faults, and issue warnings, thereby reducing the risk of fire.
2. Rapid Shutdown Functionality In the event of an anomaly, the system can quickly disconnect the connections between components, eliminating high voltage in the string, which facilitates firefighting efforts. Additionally, after a rapid shutdown, the string will no longer carry current, and the inverter will automatically shut down, effectively preventing further fire spread.
3. Precise Control and Maintenance By managing each component independently, this technology enables more accurate control and maintenance, thereby reducing the risk of concealed fire sources.

In promoting the development of Module-level power electronics technology, SUNGO Energy has leveraged its in-depth research in intelligent PV optimizers to provide effective solutions. Since its establishment in 2016, SUNGO Energy has focused on innovation in PV technology, recognizing the urgent need to enhance system efficiency and safety.

Its flagship product, the SUNGO iOPT intelligent PV optimizer, not only increases the overall energy output of PV systems but also effectively mitigates losses caused by shading and component mismatches. The application of this technology not only enhances the energy efficiency of PV systems but also significantly improves their safety. Its rapid shutdown feature can swiftly disconnect the connections between components in abnormal situations, preventing high voltage from impacting firefighting efforts, thereby ensuring personnel safety and equipment integrity. Meanwhile, the real-time monitoring capability ensures that the status of each component can be promptly detected, allowing for quick identification of potential faults and effectively reducing fire risks.

The recent PV fire incidents in Germany serve as a wake-up call for the industry and represent a crucial opportunity for technological advancement. As PV technology continues to evolve, Module-level power electronics technology is poised to become a core trend in the industry. By introducing more advanced component-level intelligent management and monitoring technologies, the PV sector is expected to achieve new breakthroughs in safety and efficiency, further advancing sustainable development goals. Continuous innovation and improvement are essential to provide more reliable safeguards for future PV applications.