Stricter Equipment Testing Crucial to Prevent Fires Like the One at Talaván PV Plant in Cáceres

A faulty electrical conductor may have caused a fire at the Ellomay photovoltaic plant in Talaván (Cáceres). Asier Ukar, director of the consultancy Kiwa PI Berlin in Spain, emphasizes the need for more stringent testing during manufacturing to design equipment that can withstand increased heat.

The fire started this past Saturday around 2:28 p.m. and was stabilized shortly before 9 p.m. the same day. The plant, developed by the Israeli company Ellomay Capital, has a capacity of 28 MW and was connected to the grid in June 2022. The fire affected approximately 870 hectares of grassland, and its cause is under investigation, although the current hypothesis is a failure of an electrical conductor, according to Luis Enrique Periáñez, mayor of Talaván.

The Regional Government of Extremadura activated operational situation 1 of the Special Civil Protection Plan for Forest Fires at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, which is activated for fires at a certain level. While controllable with the provided extinguishing means, due to their potential evolution, additional protective measures for people and property may be required. The fire posed a risk to people, property, and the environment, reaching as close as 3 km from Monroy (Cáceres).

The 112 Extremadura Emergency Coordination Centre received around 80 calls from people who observed the flames and smoke. The Infocaex Plan mobilized 95 personnel, including seven ground fire brigades, four aerial fire brigades, twelve aerial units, three heavy machinery units, three natural environment agents, five Infoex technicians, two ambulances, two 4×4 vehicles, a Red Cross supply van, two Citizen Security patrols, one Seprona Civil Guard patrol, and seven Sepei units from Cáceres.

By 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, the convoy had been reduced to 50 personnel, including seven ground units, three heavy machinery teams, four air vehicles, three natural environment agents, five technicians, two Red Cross ambulances, and three Sepei units from Cáceres.

Fire and photovoltaics

While fires caused by photovoltaic plants are uncommon, increased monitoring and caution are necessary. Asier Ukar highlights the importance of considering environmental parameters and their impact on electrical equipment, particularly given the Iberian Peninsula's rising heat, wind, and hail. The IEC 60721-3-4 standard indicates the class of equipment needed based on environmental conditions and emphasizes that prolonged exposure to environmental stresses can degrade equipment, leading to malfunction or destruction. Ukar stresses the importance of using this standard, alongside IP ratings, to ensure equipment is suitable for its location, as practised by companies like SMA.