AUDIO NEWS: 60% increase in solar panel fires, and tradesman gets a parking ticket after van breaks down

UK fire services report massive increase in solar panel fires, HBF members say they could deliver another 100,000 homes and tradesman given a parking ticket after his van breaks down

Emergency services had to fight fires caused by solar panels almost once two every two days in 2024 — that’s according to a report by business insurer QBE. 

The data pulled from freedom of information requests from UK fire services indicated that there had been a 60% increase in solar panel fires in the last two years.

The report also suggested that the number of fires was rising faster than the rate of installations, indicating that incorrect fitting or maintenance was at least partly to blame.

Solar panel installations have hit record levels in recent years due to falling prices, growing commercial demand and government incentives.

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Small and medium sized housebuilders believe they could add another 100,000 homes a year, if various barriers to market are removed, claims a report from the Home Builders Federation (HBF). 

In the survey, 97% complained that the current tax and regulatory environment is holding back growth.

Nearly two thirds of builders said that cumulative financial pressures were undermining the viability of projects.

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An Edinburgh tradesman was left annoyed after he was given a parking ticket after his broke down.

Despite telling the warden that his van had experienced a major technical fault, Matthew McDonnell, who runs a refrigeration and A/C business was still issued with a ticket. 

Matthew has since disputed the ticket with the local council.

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