Hazards in the installation and maintenance of solar panels

Solar panels or modules are becoming popular in residential and some commercial sites for providing either the primary power source or a backup source of electricity. The advantages seem obvious and on the surface they seem to be a safe option. Photovoltaic power systems do have many benefits, but there are also safety issues that come into play with them during their installation, maintenance and during emergency situations, such as during a fire. This paper discusses a quick overview of photovoltaic power system construction and then some of the safety issues that may be present.