Technical Articles

CILA Webinar: The Dark Side of Solar From Sunlight to Smoke by Ben Axelrod

Posted on Thursday, 3 July 2025

Ben Axelrod, a fire investigator in our Basingstoke office, delivered a webinar to CILA members last month to explore the fundamentals of photovoltaic (PV) systems, common failure points and the fire hazards associated with these installations. 

This presentation provided a comprehensive overview of PV systems, explaining the theory behind the technology, the key components and the design methodology.  Ben then explored the common failure mechanisms and fire hazards and examined a real-world case study to illustrate the forensic techniques deployed by investigators to determine the origin and cause of PV system fires. 

This presentation was designed to equip loss adjusters with the knowledge to assess PV system fires effectively and to understand the technical factors that contribute to these incidents.  It also outlined the benefit of a thorough forensic investigation whenever a PV system fire occurs, in order to determine the origin and cause and to assist in the consideration of liability.

Please click on the link or image to view 'The Dark Side of Solar From Sunlight to Smoke' by Ben Axelrod