📈 Powering a Safer Solar Future: Sri Lanka Addresses Renewable Energy Risks

Sri Lanka’s rapid transition toward renewable energy has led to a significant surge in rooftop solar PV and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). However, the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) warns that technical safety must keep pace with this expansion to ensure long-term sustainability. • Key Technical Risks: Unlike conventional AC systems, direct current (DC) solar installations carry prolonged arc fault risks, which can cause overheating and electrical fires due to poor workmanship or damaged cables. For BESS, "thermal runaway" (uncontrollable temperature spikes) remains a critical safety concern requiring robust battery management and fire suppression. • Regulatory & Quality Challenges: Regulators, including the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), raised concerns over the rising use of non-compliant equipment, unauthorized modifications, and installations by unqualified personnel, which threaten public safety and grid reliability. • Future Outlook: Experts emphasize adopting modern safety features like Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI) and Rapid Shutdown Devices (RSD). Furthermore, as the use of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries grows, establishing recycling and end-of-life disposal frameworks today is deemed vital to prevent future environmental challenges.