Solar panels catch fire at VVC

VICTORVILLE • Four boxes of brand-new solar panels caught fire early Friday at Victor Valley College, causing about $25,000 in damage, college spokesman Bill Greulich said.

Officials with the San Bernardino County Fire Department and hazardous materials team responded to the 10:44 a.m. fire near Fish Hatchery Road and Jacaranda Avenue, fire officials said. Four boxes, comprised of 28 solar panels each, were destroyed, officials said. The 28 panels would line just one of the 122 arrays in the college’s $5 million solar plant.

The college is not liable for the damages, Greulich said, which will be handled by the contractor SolFocus Inc. He said the project is still slated to be completed as scheduled in early May.

It’s possible the fire was triggered by the crew improperly stacking the uncovered panels under the sun, Greulich said, but officials were still investigating as of late Friday.

“They still haven’t determined what the cause was, whether it was natural or accidental or vandalism,” Greulich said.

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Staff writer Beatriz Valenzuela contributed to this report.

Natasha Lindstrom may be reached at (760) 951-6232 or at nlindstrom@VVDailyPress.com.