Fire hazard with Senec storage units: experts warn of danger to life!

Fire hazard with Senec storage units: experts warn of danger to life!

Cologne – The renewed fire incidents involving Senec battery storage systems are causing excitement among solar system owners in Germany. On August 30, 2024, a residential building burned in Hechingen with a Senec storage tank in the basement. The false ceiling of the building was badly damaged and the resident's situation was dangerous; she could only escape via the roof. A few weeks later, on September 18, 2024, there was a similar incident in Minden, which the fire department was able to bring under control just in time.

According to the Schwäbische Zeitung, the damage caused in Hechingen amounts to a high five-figure amount, and the affected residential building is currently uninhabitable. The fire department and experts are now in the process of determining the cause of the fire. A faulty battery cell in the storage unit is suspected to have caused the fire, similar to previous cases in 2022 and 2023.

Silence by Senec – A cause for concern

The inaction on the part of Senec is particularly alarming. The company evades “legal reasons” and does not disclose any information about the incidents. This lack of transparency contradicts the Product Safety Act, which requires manufacturers to inform their customers about safety risks. The ongoing uncertainty regarding the safety of Senec storage systems increases mistrust among owners.

On September 18, 2024, there was another fire in a Senec storage facility in Minden. A solar installer who installed the storage unit informed his customers about the safety risk—a prompt response that Senec lacks. There were also reports of a near-fire in the Hanover region, which was fortunately detected in time. These incidents raise questions about whether Senec's security problems have actually been fixed.

It is also unclear whether the storage facilities in Hechingen were equipped with the LFP cells that are considered safe or whether they were running in the safe conditioning mode that Senec recommends to avoid fire risks. Experts are now warning that even the replaced storage units could still be at risk of fire. A solar engineer from Minden confirmed that new storage modules are also affected by fires. This raises serious doubts about the effectiveness of Senec's module replacement.

Urgent need for action for affected customers

In light of these incidents, pressure is growing on Senec to resolve their security issues quickly. After all, there have already been several fires, the cause of which was always due to defective battery cells. It is advised that affected customers should thoroughly review their storage and seek legal assistance to ensure their safety. It is important to act quickly as claims are threatened with the statute of limitations.

The law firm GHENDLER RUVINSKIJ Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH has already represented more than 2,000 clients who are suing Senec and various solar installers. In many cases, successful judgments have been obtained against the company, meaning that customers can continue to fight for their rights in the future. Other potential clients who have had similar experiences may face legal action against Senec.

The ongoing fire incidents and Senec's unclear communication have seriously jeopardized consumer trust. The coming weeks will show whether the company can get the situation under control or whether there will be further incidents that could permanently damage Senec's credibility. For detailed information about the incidents and legal support, those interested can contact the law firm, whose contact details can be found on their website.

More information about the incidents is in an article at www.merkur.de to find.