I'm reaching out because I've had a catastrophic fire caused by my new solar equipment, which is all Chinese-made. I installed the system less than a month ago, and despite having breakers installed at all the right spots, everything I owned has been destroyed. We're now homeless, and I've lost 53 years of my life's work and family history. It's been a scary situation, and with strange occurrences leading up to the fire, I feel like I might be losing my mind. I really need guidance on how to proceed and what agencies I should contact. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, and I'm sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong place; it's my first time here.
3 Answers
As a professional in the solar field, I can tell you there could be various reasons for your situation. It could be due to mix-matched equipment, poor ventilation, or even micro damages to the solar modules. Also, did you have a rapid shutdown system installed? If not, that’s something important to consider, as it prevents potentially dangerous situations. Just make sure to check if all installation permits were secured; going without them can cause major problems down the road with insurance claims.
First off, I’m really sorry to hear about your loss. It's crucial to start with a fire investigation to determine what caused the fire. If the solar company has a presence in North America, you might be able to hold them accountable unless the fire was due to an installation error. Make sure you check whether breakers were placed correctly on all connections—battery, mains, and solar panels. That could help you figure out what happened and avoid future problems.
Exactly, and it might also help to document everything for insurance purposes. Have you thought about reaching out to a local fire department for their input? They could provide insights on what typically causes these types of fires.
I can’t help but question the claim of "Chinese infiltration" here. You chose to buy that equipment because it was cheaper, right? It’s really important to have fire insurance for situations like this. Plus, it’d be good to show us some photos of your setup—if it was a DIY job, that might help figure out what went wrong.
Totally agree, sharing your setup can help others spot potential issues. Plus, some members here can give really good advice on safety standards and best practices!
Yeah, not pulling permits can lead to serious headaches. It's a shame when people try to cut corners and it ends up being so costly. What's done is done, but definitely look into your next steps carefully!