Firefighters alarmed by latest rescue risk: solar panels

             The author of this article claims that the solar panels in the roof of buildings distract and even become crucial hazards for firefighters who try to save buildings by making air ventilation on the roof. As a ground, the author states that the solar panels on the roof usually create the 600 volts of electricity which can cause shock or burns. Moreover, those diagonal shaped solar panels on the roof make the roof slippery so that it may create conditions for slips and falls. The two recent fires in New Jersey and Piedmont California, which are the warrants for this argument, clearly tell that the firefighters complain about this problem and want to have certain regulations for this. Ken Willette, a spokesman for the National Fire Protection Association, that “solar panels are designed to generate electricity any time there’s light received by the panels […] those are charged electrical appliances … there’s a shock hazards.” Many experts also back up the argument by giving a reason that the solar panels continue to send electricity to the buildings even after firefighters disconnect the power of entire buildings. However, this article also shows rebuttal by saying that the solar panels help the environment and still the United States lags behind countries like Germany and Japan. Therefore, this rebuttal support that the reducing amount of solar panels are unacceptable in different senses. John Smirnow, a spokesman for the Solar Energy Industries Association, acknowledges that the firefighter safety is a top priority, and tries to compromise by saying that “the industry has to continue to work with the fire service community both on education and updating building codes to meet firefighters.”

Fox News: Firefighters alarmed by latest rescue risk: solar panels