Reaction to fire of photovoltaic solar systems

The race toward renewable energy has in recent years led to a sharp increase in photovoltaic system installations, placing Italy second in Europe for installations but often with products of dubious origin.

To boost and improve the production of European-made panels, the new Italian incentive scheme provides for an increased feed-in tariff for components/panels manufactured in the EU.

It is advisable to divide the photovoltaic sector into two main categories: BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics) and BAPV (Building Applied Photovoltaics).

BIPV systems are generally considered construction products, as they effectively form an external wall or roof covering, and are therefore tested using  standard methods applied to construction products.

For BAPV systems, to this day, our  Fire Reaction laboratory  have focused on the Italian classification for fire prevention purposes in accordance with Ministerial Decree of 26/06/1984 and Resolution No. 40.

New photovoltaic system guidelines

On 09/07/2025, the CCTS of the Italian Fire Brigade approved new guidelines for photovoltaic systems, marking the end of the Italian UNI 9177 classification and now requiring Class E according to EN 13501-1.

This classification is needed when coupling PV panels with roofs classified Broof T3 or T4 under EN 13501-5.
However, the guideline also allows the alternative of installing photovoltaic panels with CFV class in accordance with CEI TS 82-89, to be tested in a configuration representative of the final use, with a roof portion offering the same or better performance than the actual roof.

Istituto Giordano was among the key players in developing the CEI TS 82-89 test method for classifying BAPV systems in combination with the top layer of the roof.

If you want to know more, watch the recording of the event dedicated to this topic.

 

You can find further details in this presentation.