Elevated Photovoltaic Fire Risks: Managing DC High Voltage Hazards in Distributed Solar Systems

In recent years, fires in photovoltaic (PV) systems have become increasingly common. Tracing the root cause, the core hidden danger lies in the "DC high-voltage risk" within traditional distributed PV systems. Traditional PV arrays are exposed to outdoor elements year-round, making issues like equipment aging, insulation damage, and loose electrical connections almost unavoidable. Once poor contact or reduced insulation performance occurs, DC arc faults can strike unexpectedly.

What’s even more worrying is that the temperature of a DC arc can soar above 3,000°C. Surrounding materials can easily ignite if not careful, leading to sudden fires. Worse still, high temperatures during a fire may cause materials to release toxic gases, adding significant challenges to firefighting and rescue efforts. If rescuers rush in without cutting off the DC high voltage, it could trigger even more severe secondary accidents.

Fonrich New Energy: Two Solutions to Eliminate DC High-Voltage Risks

To address the safety risks posed by DC high voltage in PV systems, Fonrich (Shanghai) New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (referred to as "Fonrich New Energy") has developed two targeted solutions, fundamentally enhancing the intrinsic safety of PV systems:

1. Module-Level Rapid Shutdown (RSD): Cutting Off DC High-Voltage Risks at the Source

Module-level Rapid Shutdown (RSD) is currently the most direct and effective technical means to tackle DC high-voltage hazards in PV systems. In emergencies, RSD devices can quickly cut off the circuit of each PV module, completely eliminating DC high voltage in the system. This instantly elevates the system’s safety level, effectively safeguarding the safety of personnel, equipment, and firefighting operations.

PVMS Series: An Integrated RSD Solution That’s Intelligent, Safe, and Reliable

Fonrich New Energy’s PVMS series of Smart PV Safety Protectors (Smart RSD) fully address various risks from DC high voltage through three core advantages: "safety, intelligence, and reliability." This product line not only meets international standards such as NEC for rapid shutdown but also integrates module-level arc detection and shutdown functions. It supports multiple active shutdown methods, including local, remote, and fault-triggered, maximizing the system’s safety redundancy.

Additionally, the PVMS series enables precise module-level positioning and status monitoring, laying the groundwork for digital operation and maintenance of PV power plants. This helps users reduce management costs and achieve intelligent, refined operations.

In terms of quality, as a high-reliability product designed to enhance system safety, the PVMS series strictly adheres to international certification systems. It has passed numerous authoritative certifications and compliance tests, including UL1741, UL3741, UL1699B, IEC63027, IEC62109-1, and IEC61000-6-1/-2/-3/-4, with its safety and stability validated through rigorous practical testing.

2. String-Level Arc Protection: Precise Early Warning and Efficient Arc Suppression

Fonrich New Energy integrates AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) technology into string-level safety protectors, enabling real-time monitoring of multiple arc faults such as series and parallel arcs in modules. Through the SafeSolar module-level data monitoring platform, intelligent algorithms accurately locate arc occurrences, enabling early warning, rapid response, and precise protection—significantly enhancing the intrinsic safety of power plants.

When a fault occurs in a PV string, the string-level AFCI function activates immediately. The system automatically triggers switches to quickly cut off the circuit between the inverter and the PV string, eliminating current in the string loop within an extremely short time. This efficiently extinguishes the arc and blocks the spread of risks.

Fonrich New Energy’s patented arc suppression technology ensures the safety of personnel and assets without compromising the normal power generation efficiency of the power plant.

Moreover, this technology supports safety upgrades for aging power plants, solving the pain point of traditional systems being difficult to retrofit with safety protection equipment. It provides a feasible path for the safe operation of existing PV systems.

Safety Is No Small Matter: PV Fire Prevention Is Urgent

Distributed PV systems are mostly installed in crowded areas such as residential communities, commercial buildings, and along expressways. A fire in such locations could have severe consequences. Whether it’s an active fault caused by equipment aging or a passive issue from unexpected accidents, the hazards cannot be underestimated.

Enhancing the safety protection capabilities of PV systems has become an unavoidable practical issue for industry development. Going forward, all stakeholders in the industry must work together to raise risk prevention awareness, promote smarter and more reliable safety protection technologies, and build a solid safety barrier for the sustainable development of the PV industry.

Therefore, relevant authorities and personnel must truly enhance their risk prevention awareness for PV projects—this matter is of utmost importance.