- Industry experts to unpack safety strategies for solar PV and BES installations in South Africa and rest of Africa.
- Focus on fire risk reduction, regulatory alignment and emerging technologies.
- Free to attend online session scheduled for 13 April 2026.
- Ready to attend? Register HERE
As rooftop solar PV and battery energy storage systems continue to scale rapidly, concerns around system safety and fire risk mitigation are becoming increasingly urgent. The webinar will explore practical interventions and evolving best practice aimed at reducing incidents and improving operational safety across installations.
The programme features a line-up of industry specialists:
- Opening: Andre van der Elst, Eksteen & Le Roux Engineers; Convenor of SABS 10142-1 Working Group.
- Presenter 1: Anthony Schewitz, Regional Director (Highveld), Electrical Contractors Association.
- Presenter 2: Hein Herholdt, CEO, Herholdt’s Group.
- Presenter 3: Dr. Patrick Narbel, Chief Technical Officer and Co-Founder, GoSolr.
- Presenter 4: Shane Marcelo Prins, Chief Solutions Architect, Huawei Digital Power Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Wrap-up: Leon Roos, Consultant: Compliance and Safety; Member of SABS 10142-1 Working Group.
Discussion topics will include the role of power optimisers in improving system performance under shaded conditions while enhancing safety during shutdown scenarios. Presenters will also examine advances in DC arc fault detection, which enable rapid identification and isolation of high temperature arcs in under a second, significantly reducing fire risk.
Further focus areas include optimal placement of battery systems to limit exposure to heat and ensure adequate ventilation, alongside the importance of battery cell quality control and real time monitoring to detect early signs of degradation or failure.
Emerging solutions such as integrated fire detection and suppression technologies within lithium iron phosphate battery systems will also be highlighted, offering new approaches to preventing thermal runaway events at source.
The session will additionally address the need for alignment between regulatory frameworks, standards and installer practices as solar PV and battery technologies continue to evolve at pace.
With increasing deployment of behind the meter energy systems, the webinar is expected to provide valuable insights for developers, EPC contractors, installers, regulators, insurers and end users seeking to better understand and manage safety risks while supporting the growth of distributed energy solutions.
The event will follow a structured format, including an opening address, four technical presentations, a wrap up session and an interactive question and answer segment. Attendance is free of charge and open to all stakeholders across the energy value chain.
It is well worth attending. Register HERE
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
