Slide 2 FIREFIGHTER SOLAR POWER SAFETY AWARENESS TRAINING Slide
3 WHAT WELL COVER TONIGHT 1- What is Solar Power ? 2- Why are
people using it ? 3- - How does the technology work ? 4 Building
construction & weight bearing capabilities. 5- Fire ground
electrical hazards. 6-Emergency Response Slide 4 Solar Panels are
Everywhere !!! Slide 5 WHAT IS SOLAR POWER? Solar energy is the
most abundant and important source of energy on the planet. Solar
energy is a renewable source of energy because it cannot be used
up. When the sun's energy reaches the Earth's atmosphere, it is
converted into heat which powers photosynthesis and spurs many of
the Earth's natural processes. Solar energy is the force
responsible for the wind, which powers the rain cycle which keeps
replenishes water sources around the world. It can be used three
main ways Passive Solar, Solar thermal & Photovoltaic's. Slide
6 PASSIVE SOLAR Capturing the suns energy in building design and
construction ( windows, skylights etc. ) Slide 7 SOLAR THERMAL
Sunlight converted to heat, usually to heat pools, but sometimes to
heat homes through glycol mixture. Can be passive or active
dependent on whether or not they have circulating pumps. Danger to
firefighters, tripping, slipping, structural collapse due to extra
weight, flame spread, inhalation or hot fluid scalds. Slide 8 SOLAR
THERMAL PANELS Because these panels have various kinds of liquids
circulating through them, a storage tank is often stored in the
rafters as well as piping & wiring. Caution should be exercised
in regard to ventilation. Gable ends & natural vent openings is
a more prudent option for vertical venting. Slide 9 SOLAR THERMAL
PANELS CONT. Do not walk or stand on panels. Do not place ladders
on panels. Do not attempt to break panels. Attempting to disconnect
panels from one & other may cause an arc fault. Only natural
sunlight & lightning energize the panels. Artificial
lighting,such as fire dept. scene lighting do not! Slide 10
PHOTOVOLTAICS CONVERTING LIGHT INTO ELECTRICITY AS INDICATED IN THE
ROOT WORDS.., Photo meaning light Voltaic meaning electricity No
moving parts or fluids, consumes no materials, utilizes solid state
technology. Completely self contained. Slide 11 PHOTOVOLTAICS CONT.
The process of converting energy in the form of light from the sun
to usable electrical current. Sunlight converted to electricity,
electrical energy. Danger to firefighters include electrical shock,
trip, slip, fall, flame spread, inhalation exposure, structural
collapse due to extra weight, hazardous emissions from combustion,
battery storage Use same precautions as solar thermal panels. Slide
12 People using photovoltaic solar panels are either using the
electricity themselves or selling it to the local hydro company and
putting the power back into the power grid. Slide 13 HOW DOES THE
NEW TECHNOLOGY WORK ? Slide 14 A solar cell accepts energy from the
sun & converts it into electricity. Silicon is used & each
cell generates 0.5 volts A module "or panel contains 50 to 72
cells. The standard is 3 X 5 ft. each produces 20 to 40 volts.
These are encased in glass & aluminum & weigh 30 to 50 lbs.
When one or more of these modules are stringed together, they form
an array. These are wired in a series to increase voltage. A 20
panel array can produce 4000 watts & weigh 2.5 lbs per square
foot. Slide 15 INVERTERS An inverter is used to convert the power
generated by the PV module from direct current (dc) to alternating
current (ac) so that the electricity can be used by the consumer or
directed in to the utility grid. Inverters come in a variety of
sizes and styles: Micro-inverters: A single inverter that is next
to or built into the individual PV modules. The micro-inverter
converts the dc power at the module rather than at a single large
inverter serving many modules. System inverters: System inverters
receive current and voltage from many strings or arrays. This type
of inverter can be located on the roof near the array or inside the
building in a location such as a utility room. Inverters contain
capacitors which store energy. Once de-energized, the capacitors
begin to discharge their stored energy. However, they may be
capable of electric shock until their voltage has diminished. Slide
16 INVERTERS CONT. It is important to note that shutting off the
inverter only shuts off power to what it is supplying, either the
structure or the power grid. The panels connected to the inverter
will be live if natural sunlight or lightning is present! Remember!
Some inverters have capacitors. Be aware of possible arc fault.
Slide 17 WHAT IS AN ARC FAULT? An arc fault is a fault in the high
voltage wiring of a PV system that can cause a high energy
discharge that can potentially trigger a fire in the presence of
combustible material. It is similar to the small flash you see when
you unplug your toaster or electric kettle. Slide 18 Batteries
Batteries are used store electricity produced by the solar panels
for personal use or for a blackout. A homeowner cant use solar
power & put it into the grid at the same time. These batteries
are usually located in the basement or utility room. Slide 19
BATTERIES - DANGERS Burning plastic. Leaking / burning acid
Emission of hydrogen (lighter than air) & hydrogen sulphide
(heavier than air). Both highly flammable & explosive, no spark
producing equipment in this area! Battery rooms in homes are not
necessarily properly ventilated/ explosive gases may be present
from charging state. Slide 20 BATTERIES - DANGERS To control
battery fires Dry chemical extinguisher, Co2 or foam applicants if
area is on fire. Ensure proper ventilation. Full PPE. Be aware of
possibility of acid solutions & check PPE for exposures, rinse
off with water & check PPE, replace if needed. This could end
up being a hazardous materials incident. Slide 21 Important Note
Never cut into batteries under any circumstances! Even though the
voltage generating PV system may be disconnected from the battery
bank, the batteries themselves still have potential for electrical
shock. If the battery is punctured by a conductive object, assume
that the object may be charged. Slide 22 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND
WEIGHT BEARING CONCIDERATIONS Slide 23 THINGS TO CONCIDER -Solar
panels weigh 2.5 lbs per square ft. - 20 x 50 ft roof would bear
2500 lbs if roof totally covered with solar panels. -What type
building construction ? -Are you dealing with engineered truss?
-Any other loads involved, snow, AC unit? -How long has the roof
been exposed to heat and flame? - Time of year, freezing temps
& ice ! Slide 24 FIRE GROUND ELECTRICAL HAZARDS NFPA states The
inability to de-energize individual PV panels exposed to sunlight
cannot be overemphasized. It is absolutely imperative that
emergency responders always treat the systems and all of its
components as energized. This includes after the incident is
stabilized, as the system will continue to be energized while
exposed to sunlight, possible with damaged componentsthat could
present serious shock hazards or cause rekindling of a fire to
occur. Slide 25 NFPA CONT The presence of rooftop disconnects are
primarily for maintenance of the system. Fire fighters should be
wary of utilizing these as a secure method of power isolation. If
not all disconnects to an inverter are opened, there still exists
the possibility of voltage throughout the system. Additionally,
large capacitors in the inverters will provide voltage in daylight
hours for several minutes on both sides of the disconnect even when
opened. Slide 26 EMERGENCY RESPONSE Develop a action plan suited to
the incident. Assign control of utilities. Do not lay ladders on
roof panels. Water streams 30 deg.@ 100psi from 33 ft. or more only
if required. No straight stream patterns, no foam. Avoid placing
you and your crew in a fashion that puts you & the array
between you 7 your escape route. Slide 27 EMERGENCY RESPONSE Make
sure all conduit and components are well identified prior to
overhaul. Do not walk on or cut panels. Transfer of command leave
scene in as safe a condition as possible. Notify all incoming crews
of all dangers and possible power supplies. Identify &
barricade all hazards. Do not release site until security is
secured and dangers are controlled. Slide 28 Fire departments
should test their salvage covers on a PV array in advance of an
incident to determine if they will successfully block light
transmission Slide 29 REMEMBER ALWAYS TREAT AS LIVE! Slide 30 Slide
31 Slide 32 Slide 33 Slide 34 Slide 35 Large commercial arrays will
have disconnects and inverters situated behind and protection by
the PV array. Slide 36 BE CAREFUL & REMEMBER SOMEBODY LOVES
YOU
