Solar panels on Apple plant in Arizona catch fire

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Firefighters responded to an emergency at one of Apple’s facilities in Mesa, Arizona on Tuesday afternoon after a blaze broke out in an area of solar panels fitted to the roof of the building.

According to local news reports, firefighters identified that the fire erupting on the 12-hecatare site was located only on a section of the roof overlooking a loading dock.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

While around 50 people were forced to evacuate the building, over 100 firefighters were able to get the blaze under control in about 30 minutes, although a portion of the roof collapsed.

News reports noted that fire investigators are trying to find out if the fire was a direct result of the solar panels located upon the roof.

The facility features a lengthy history. First Solar was the original owner of the building, eventually selling it to Apple in 2012. Apple then leased it to GT Advanced Technologies (GTAT) in order to use the space as a factory to manufacture sapphire screens for handheld devices.

Ultimately, the sapphire-screen factory plans never came to fruition, as GTAT eventually filed for bankruptcy last year. As a result, Apple shifted the building’s purpose into that of a data centre, touting its green credentials.

Read Next

August 8, 2025
This week several solar developers have raised funds for projects around the world, including BRUC in Europe, Greenalia in the US, Qair in Mauritius and CREC in Philippines.
August 8, 2025
German solar inverter manufacturer SMA Solar posted losses in the first half of 2025, as demand in the residential and corporate & industrial (C&I) solar sectors 'remains weak'.
August 8, 2025
US solar tracker manufacturer Array Technologies has posted revenue of US$362.2 million in the second quarter of this year.
Premium
August 8, 2025
Energy storage escaped much of the pain inflicted on solar, but foreign entity restrictions may create some supply-chain challenges.
August 8, 2025
Solar PV is likely to become less accessible to low-income Americans after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cancels the US$7 billion Solar For All scheme.
August 8, 2025
Argentinian renewables developer Genneia has reached commercial operations at its 180MW Parque Solar Anchoris in Argentina.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines