Who doesn’t love solar panels? Maybe you even took the advice of the U.S. Department of Energy and dressed up as a solar panel this Halloween.
President Obama is certainly a fan. In July, he announced a plan to triple his administration’s goal for installing renewable energy for low- and moderate-income housing. It would be a win-win; the plan would create jobs for solar panel manufacturers and installers, and the poor would enjoy cheap electricity.
Candidate Bernie Sanders jumped on board too, saying he’d create a fund that would help make solar panels available to low-income families, woman- or minority-owned small businesses, Indian tribal lands, the Appalachia region and Alaskan native communities.
Before installing all of those solar panels on low-income housing, a second look into their safety might be in order. The Boston Fire Department tweeted yesterday that a malfunctioning solar panel started a fire on the roof of a five-story building.
@BostonFire 518 Tremont St Roof fire pic.twitter.com/W7UTF2WJ3C
— Scott LaPrade (@ScottLaPrade) October 30, 2015
Fire now out. Multiple solar panels on the roof. Cause under investigation. No injuries.
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) October 30, 2015
The fire on the roof at 518 Tremont St. was caused by a malfunctioning solar panel. There were several on the roof.
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) October 30, 2015
The fire dropped down and ignited part of the rubber roof. Chief estimates damage at $50,000.00.
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) October 30, 2015
That’s a lot of money for clean, cheap power.
1 occupant treated and transported by @BOSTON_EMS for smoke inhalation. Unknown why solar panel malfunctioned.
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) October 30, 2015
Again, why a solar panel malfunctioned might be worth looking into before this president or the next spends billions outfitting tightly spaced low-income apartments with similar technology.