Council switches off solar panels at 80 schools after Ipswich fire
Suffolk County Council is temporarily switching off solar panel systems at 80 schools across the county following a fire at Sidegate Primary School in Ipswich, amid concerns the panels may have been a factor in three separate school fires.
Why it matters: Solar panels at the affected schools were installed by the council between 2011 and 2016 as part of a wider programme. With two other school fires also potentially linked to solar panels, the council has acted precautionarily to eliminate any possible risk to pupils and staff.
The details: The fire at Sidegate Primary School occurred on 24 June. Initial discussions with Suffolk Fire and Rescue indicate the fire may be linked to solar panels installed on the roof of one of the school buildings.
The council said there is currently no firm evidence that the three school fires were caused by the same issue, and no conclusive evidence linking them. However, the involvement of solar panels in each case prompted the precautionary action.
The decision has been taken in partnership with Suffolk Fire and Rescue, Concertus, DPL and Suffolk County Council while further investigation work continues.
Engineers will visit all 80 schools within the next two weeks to isolate the solar panel systems. The work is expected to be completed without disruption to day-to-day school operations.
What they're saying: Sarah-Jane Smedmor, Executive Director of Children and Young People at Suffolk County Council, said: "This move is about ensuring that our children and young people and staff across schools remain safe.
"We do not specifically know what caused the fires. However, we cannot take the risk that those incidents were unrelated or coincidental – we must act with precaution to eliminate any potential fire risks."
The bottom line: With the cause of three school fires yet to be confirmed, Suffolk County Council is not waiting for answers — switching off solar panels at 80 schools as a precaution while engineers carry out site visits over the coming fortnight.
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