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Solar Power: Fire Prevention

Asked by Claire YoungLiberal DemocratDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 23 March 2026UIN 122043

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the effectiveness of regulatory frameworks of private solar panel installations in tackling fire risks.

Answered by Michael Shanks

Under DESNZ schemes where solar is an eligible technology, installers, products and installations must all be MCS Certified.

However, the Government inherited a fragmented consumer‑protection framework for home energy efficiency measures. This framework is being reviewed with reforms announced in the Warm Homes Plan to ensure households can be confident in the quality and safety of upgrades made to their homes.

More specifically, the Building Safety Regulator will launch a public consultation on proposed updates to Approved Document B, the statutory fire safety guidance within the Building Regulations, this summer. We will monitor and engage as this work progresses.

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