Solar farms

Solar farms

Solar panels (also known as photovoltaic (PV) panels), are globally one of the fastest growing forms of generating electricity. PV panels often accompany BESS sites in the form of ground-mounted PV installations known as ‘arrays’ and can cover large areas in the form of ‘solar farms’. These provide significant energy for storage and subsequent supply to the grid in periods of high demand. 

Solar arrays and risk

Solar arrays/panels are mostly situated in isolated, rural areas where the risk to life is minimal.

While reported fire incidents at ground-mounted solar farms are few and the risks are considered to be low, like other forms of technology that produce electricity, they can catch fire.

Helpful advice and guidance on solar farms and fire risk is provided by the Fire Protection Association - the UK's national fire safety organisation - in their Advice & Guidance article 'Are solar panels a fire hazard'.   

To ensure fire and rescue services can access the site in the event of a fire, there are certain considerations that applicants should take into account when applying for planning permission to establish a solar farm. Further information can be found in our Applicants, designers and planners section. 

Want to know more?

  • The UK Government hope to deliver 'clean power' by 2030. To help achieve this, it has re-launched the Solar Taskforce, who will recommend what government and industry need to do to meet the government's target to reach 'net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050'. To do this will mean an increase in solar energy including solar farms.
  • Solar farms require planning permission and changes are anticipated to the 'Town and Country Planning and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project planning regimes in England'. An overview of this and the use of agricultural land for solar farms can be found in the Research Briefing 'Planning for solar farms', published on the 13 May 2025 and held in the House of Commons Library.

Solar Roadmap

In June 2025 the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero published a 'Solar roadmap' which 'presents a comprehensive strategy and clear plan of action to achieve the significant increase in solar deployment needed to support the delivery of clean power by 2030, as set out in the Government’s Clean Power Action Plan'.