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What to do if…
a solar inverter or home battery starts smoking or overheating

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

If there is smoke, flame, hissing, cracking, swelling, leaking, an unusual smell, or rapidly increasing heat, get everyone out, stay out, and call 999. Do not approach, touch, isolate, move, open, cool, or try to extinguish the equipment yourself.

Do not do these things

  • Do not delay leaving while investigating the cause or collecting possessions.
  • Do not touch the inverter, battery, casing, cables, plugs, isolators, switches, or nearby metalwork.
  • Do not open, move, cover, cool, dismantle, or puncture the equipment.
  • Do not use water, a fire extinguisher, or another method to tackle the incident yourself.
  • Do not breathe smoke or vapour, even if it appears light or begins to clear.
  • Do not return inside for pets, documents, photographs, fault codes, or system details.
  • Do not restart or recharge the system after it appears to have cooled.

What to do now

  1. Alert everyone nearby and leave by the normal safe route. Close doors behind you only when this does not delay your escape.
  2. Move away from the building or outdoor battery cabinet. Keep children, visitors, neighbours, and pets away from the affected area.
  3. From a safe place outside, call 999 and ask for the fire and rescue service. Give the full address and say that a solar inverter or home battery is smoking, overheating, or showing signs of failure.
  4. Tell the operator where the equipment is located, whether it is indoors or outdoors, what warning signs you noticed, and whether anyone may still be inside.
  5. Stay outside until the fire and rescue service says it is safe to return. Tell attending crews that the property has solar panels, an inverter, and battery storage, and point out their locations from a safe distance.
  6. If there is no smoke, flame, smell, hissing, cracking, swelling, leaking, visible damage, or increasing heat, but the system reports overheating or the equipment seems abnormally hot, keep people away. Stop charging or operation through an app or remote control only if this can be done without approaching the equipment, then contact the installer or manufacturer urgently.
  7. Leave and call 999 if warning signs develop, conditions worsen, an alarm activates, or you are unsure whether there is a fire.
  8. If anyone has difficulty breathing, collapses, or has a serious or electrical burn, tell 999 that medical help is needed. Once safely clear of the equipment, cool a burn under cool running water for 15 to 30 minutes if available, and follow the emergency operator’s instructions.

What can wait

Photographs, fault codes, warranty claims, insurance calls, cleaning, repair quotes, replacement decisions, and working out why the system failed can wait. Do not approach or re-enter to obtain a serial number, installer document, or other information.

Important reassurance

You do not need to identify the fault, operate electrical isolators, or decide whether the warning signs are serious before moving to safety. Leaving and calling 999 is appropriate when a battery or electrical system is smoking or may already be failing.

Scope note

This guide covers the first safe actions only. Inspection, electrical isolation, repair, disposal, insurance, and decisions about restarting the system may require the fire and rescue service, the manufacturer, and a suitably qualified solar or battery installer.

Important note

This is general fire, electrical, and first-aid information, not professional electrical, engineering, medical, or emergency-service advice. Follow instructions from the 999 operator and attending emergency services.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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