If your house of worship has not already installed solar panels on your building or on your grounds, chances are the topic has at least come up in conversation. After all, government subsidies associated with “green-ifying” your facility can make the addition of solar panels seem quite lucrative.
Before you rush to purchase solar panels, it’s important to remember due diligence is a crucial step in the process. There are many risks associated with solar panels, and while they need not detract you from your goal, you should certainly be aware of them.
Fire
The biggest and most obvious risk is fire. To ensure you are keeping your people and your building safe, you should:
- Ensure you are using a certified installation contractor with UL-certified equipment. A knowledgeable contractor will be able to use the proper installation equipment and techniques to help you avoid arcing or short circuiting, which can lead to a fire.
- Coordinate with your local fire department before installing solar panels. Firefighters need to be prepared to fight any type of fire at your facility. In 2017, fire code began requiring a rapid shut-down device near solar panel units to protect firefighters from electrocution when they are in the vicinity. However, since solar panels could continue to generate electricity as long as they are exposed to sunlight or bright lights, such a device may not be 100% effective. Firefighters should be aware of the solar panels so they can proceed with the utmost caution.
- Understand that having solar panels could increase your loss from a fire. A fire originating in the solar panels’ components would be outside the building’s fire detection and suppression systems. Therefore, there could be potential delays in putting out the fire and preventing its spread.
Other property risks
In addition to fire, solar panels could present other risks, such as:
- Additional weight – The panels represent extra weight on your roof. Not only should you make sure your roof can withstand the weight, but you should also consider the added weight of snow during the winter months. A certified installation contractor can help you determine whether installing solar panels would be safe on your roofing type.
- Using appropriate contractors – Any contractor who installs solar panels on a house of worship building should be fully qualified. With the increased demand for solar panels, contractors may hire less experienced personnel to perform installation. Avoid this by checking: Is your contractor certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)? Did a professional engineer review and stamp the designs? Did the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) inspect and sign off on the installation?
- Not following standards – You and your contractor should be aware of and follow relevant standards, including those from the National Electric Code (NEC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
- Trying to accomplish inspections by yourself – You should only perform maintenance and inspections on your own if you have staff members with the appropriate skills.
Solar panels are certainly a step in the right direction when it comes to being environmentally conscious. Just make sure you have done your homework and checked with all the proper authorities before moving forward on this major investment. It is also important to inform your insurance company of the changes to ensure your property is not under-insured in the event of a loss.
About the author
Eric Spacek, is Assistant Vice President – Risk Control for Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I.
He serves on the board of directors of the Iowa Prayer Breakfast Committee and on the board of directors for the Friends of Youth Justice Initiative in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Spacek attends Hope+Elim, a multi-cultural satellite location of Lutheran Church of Hope, in Des Moines, Iowa, and volunteers on the safety and security team.
