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

July 4, 2025
Chinese PV provider Skycorp Solar Group has announced a solar plant acquisition and development strategy following unanimous board approval.
July 4, 2025
Germany’s latest innovation tender has awarded 488MW of co-located capacity, with all the projects being solar PV tied with energy storage.
July 4, 2025
Risen Energy’s mass-produced heterojunction (HJT) modules have reached a cell conversion efficiency of 26.61%, a record figure for the company.
July 4, 2025
The US House of Representatives has passed the final version of the reconciliation bill that is now going to US President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature before its passing.
July 4, 2025
Australian retailer AGL Energy has confirmed its acquisition of South Australia’s Virtual Power Plant (SAVPP) from Tesla.
July 3, 2025
Renewable energy curtailment in Brazil is set to reach 8% across the country, and be as high as 11% in the north-east, by 2035.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK