New technology has always turned up unexpected and sometimes unwanted results, but if this is a new problem, isn't it time to go back to the drawing board and invent a solution?

Standarize codes, new firefighting techniques. Is there something that could be incorporated into new solar panels that would alleviate some issues?

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]Big Energy is launching an all-out war (with big bucks) against decentralized solar power because it's doing so well. Their market share and those all-important profit margins are at risk.

There may or may not be a legitimate concern here. I find it very odd, however, there hasn't been a single whisper about it before now, when Big Energy declares war on the solar movement.

And don't you think this concern is something that would already have been taken into consideration by solar design engineers before going commercial?

I'm looking forward to solar people responding to this. Betcha it's a distortion of major proportions.

It's just another feeble attempt to dissuade people from supporting solar energy.

When you think about all the fires that occur because of improperly grounded utility wires (And when I lived in Marin County, the news article would blame the squirrel or the crow that helped to short out the improperly grounded wires, rather than the utility) I would think this is a bit alarmist.

I am sure that since the solar solution is still in its infancy, some work around will be found. it is not hard to invent what is needed once an industry discovers a problem.

The Industry Big Whigs for conventional and centralized utilities are totally scared by solar. I was just reading on DailyKos about a guy in Sacramento who owns a 20 unit apartment complex, with rooftop panels and the utility bill for the entire complex is $ 6.00 a month.

Follow the money, like they say.

The hinge has an electrical disconnect built in. Flipping up the panel disconnects it safely and allows access to the roof surface.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]Well done!

is shining. There isn't going to be a technical solution to that.

firefighters to walk on the roof? Don't know how they would be stored so they can do the job.

And people keep gasoline and other flammable solvents in their garages!!!

And shit, what if the water heater falls over and the gas line breaks!!!





This is bullshit.

Yes, I agree this doesn't seem that immense a deal. It is probably a new thing for firefighters to adjust to.

New systems have disconnects, clearly marked, and firefighters should by now all have been trained in how to approach these installations.

And, building codes should all have been updated.

Where they haven't, they'll need to be.