A solar panel has no off switch. This is the off switch.
PVSTOP is a water-based polymer sprayed onto live solar panels from up to 10 metres away. It blocks the light, and DC output drops to a safe level in seconds. When the job is done, you peel it off.
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Bomba, ERT, in-house fire teams
You need the array dead before anyone steps on that roof.
Installers and service technicians
You need one string isolated at the panel, not at the inverter.
Factories, warehouses, data centres, malls
You have solar on your roof and no way to switch it off.
Property and safety managers
You need a documented control measure for rooftop PV risk.
A burning roof is bad. A burning roof that is still generating electricity is worse.
Fire crews have a settled playbook for an industrial roof. Rooftop solar breaks most of it, for one reason: you cannot switch off the fuel source, because the fuel source is daylight.
The isolator does not reach the panels
Every isolation switch, arc-fault detector and rapid shutdown device sits downstream of the modules. The panels themselves, and every DC cable running back to that first isolation point, stay live for as long as light reaches the glass — including the light thrown by the fire. A commercial rooftop array runs at 600–1,000 V DC.
A DC arc does not put itself out
An AC arc extinguishes itself each time the voltage crosses zero, a hundred times a second. DC has no zero crossing, so once an arc strikes it holds — sustaining heat, re-igniting roof material, and continuing after the visible fire is knocked down. Nearly half of PV fires originate at the DC isolator, and around 70% at the isolator or the DC connectors.
Panels make the fire spread further
A module above a roof membrane deflects flame and radiant heat back down onto it. In controlled tests, an ignition source that produced almost no flame spread on a bare roof produced self-sustained spread across the same roof once a panel was placed above it. Solar raises both the chance of ignition and the size of the loss.
Crews lose the surface they need
Vertical ventilation means cutting the roof — over energised cabling, between rows of panels, on a surface crews cannot safely walk. PV fires should not be tackled by untrained personnel and the panels must be de-energised during first responder operations. In practice, that often means going defensive and watching the building burn.
And it does not end when the fire does. A damaged array stays live every daylight hour until an electrical contractor can attend — through the investigation, the insurance assessment, the salvage, and the repair. Everyone who goes near that roof in the meantime is working next to an uncontrolled DC source.
A rooftop PV incident without PVSTOP
- Array keeps producing throughout the incident
- Crews hold off the roof; attack goes defensive
- Arcs can re-establish after knockdown
- Roof stays a live hazard for days until a contractor attends
- Assessors, salvage and repair crews all wait
The same incident with PVSTOP on site
- One trained operator de-energises the array from up to 10 m
- Arcing stops as the coating covers the cells
- Crews can work the roof and ventilate
- Array stays safely off for up to 12 months
- Film peels off by hand; no damage to the system
Sources: FRISSBE / ZAG, Fire Safety Guideline for Building Applied Photovoltaic Systems on Flat Roofs (2024) · BRE, Fire and Solar PV Systems (2017) · Clean Energy Associates rooftop audit findings (2023) · Mohd Nizam Ong et al., Journal of Building Engineering (2022) · Energy Commission Malaysia rooftop capacity, July 2025.
Spray it. Block the light. Peel it off.
PVSTOP is delivered from a pressure vessel that handles like a fire extinguisher, so anyone already trained on an extinguisher understands it immediately.
Spray
Pull the pin, aim, squeeze the handle. Apply evenly across the centre line of the panels, like painting a wall, from up to 10 m away. Do not over-apply — a thick coat slows drying and reduces how far one vessel goes.
Block
The black liquid film blocks light to the cells. 40% coverage of each panel is enough to stop generation; full coverage is best practice and drives DC voltage to zero. It works on wet panels and in rain.
Peel
At 25°C the film is tack dry in about 5 minutes and tack free in about 2 hours. It can stay on for up to 12 months. When you're ready, peel it off by hand or pressure-wash it away, then have a technician inspect before re-energising.
Watch a live array go dark.
Two minutes, one canister, and a panel that stops producing power. This is the clearest way to understand what you're buying.
The full spec sheet.
Everything your safety officer, consultant or insurer will ask for, in one place.
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material type | Water-based polymer coating |
| Colour | Black |
| Coverage required to de-energise | 40% of each panel surface (100% recommended as best practice) |
| Delivery range | Up to 10 m (30 ft) in ideal conditions, wind dependent |
| Drying time @ 25°C | Tack dry ~5 min · Tack free ~120 min |
| Service life on panel | Up to 12 months, weather exposed |
| Removal | Peel by hand, or high-pressure water spray |
| Electrical properties | Non-conductive · Eliminates PV arcing on application |
| Fire behaviour | Non-flammable wet and dry · Extinguishes Class A fire in wet state · Dries to a heat-resistant film |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic · Contains no PFAS, PFOS or PFOA |
| Disposal | Dried film may be disposed of as general waste |
| Shelf life | 36 months in pressure vessel · 24 months in IBC |
| Storage temperature | 5°C – 60°C · Do not allow to freeze (voids warranty) |
| Vessel standard (APAC) | AS/NZS 1841.2:2007 certified portable extinguisher vessel |
| Refillable | No — portable pressure vessels are single use |
| Not for use on | Acrylic surfaces |
Figures are manufacturer data under stated test conditions. Coverage and range vary with wind, application distance, film thickness and operator technique. Full MSDS and datasheets supplied on request.
4.5 Litre
- Practical coverage
- ~18 m²
- Discharge time
- ~35 sec
- Panels (full coverage)
- ~7–8
- Best for
- Homes, small C&I
9 Litre
- Practical coverage
- ~34 m²
- Discharge time
- On datasheet
- Panels (full coverage)
- ~14–16
- Best for
- Factories, fire teams
Panel estimates assume a standard 2.2 m² module at 100% coverage. In an emergency, 40% coverage stops generation — so one vessel makes considerably more panels safe.
Not sure how many vessels your roof needs?
Send us your array size or a photo of the roof. We'll size it and quote you — no site visit needed to get a number.
If someone has to go onto that roof, they need this.
Four buyers, four different reasons. Find yours below — the trigger line is the moment people usually call us.
Bomba, ERT and in-house fire teams
Make the array safe before committing crews to the roof. Removes the DC electrocution and arcing hazard so the team can fight the actual fire instead of standing off.
You need it when: your response area covers factories, warehouses or solar farms, and your crews currently have no way to de-energise a roof at the panel.
Installers, technicians and maintenance crews
De-energise a section before working on it. Useful during string fault finding, inverter replacement, roof repairs by other trades, and decommissioning.
You need it when: a client asks how you'll make the array safe before your team, or another trade, goes onto a live roof.
Factories, warehouses, data centres, malls
Storm, flood or hail damage leaves a live, broken array on your roof. PVSTOP lets you shut it down immediately and keep it shut down for up to 12 months while insurance and repairs are sorted.
You need it when: you've commissioned rooftop solar and nobody has answered the question of what happens if it catches fire at 3am.
Facility and property managers
A stocked vessel on site is a documented control measure for your rooftop PV risk assessment, and it shortens the window between an incident and a safe roof.
You need it when: an insurer, auditor or fire certificate review asks what your rooftop PV emergency procedure actually is.
What PVSTOP is not
- It is not a certified fire extinguisher. It extinguishes a Class A fire in its wet state and passed a 2A test under Australian Standards conditions, but it is classified as a light-blocking agent, not an extinguisher.
- It should be applied by trained operators only — fire and emergency personnel or electrical contractors who have had risk assessment training.
- Once tack free, the coating cannot be removed from woven materials such as PPE and turnout gear. Rinse equipment with water immediately after use.
- An accredited electrical technician must inspect the system before it is reactivated.
Independently assessed, not just marketed.
Buying it is easy. Being supported afterwards is the hard part.
Fire Fighter Industry has manufactured and serviced fire safety equipment in Malaysia since 1974. We are the only company in Malaysia holding ISO certification across the manufacturing, installation, servicing and maintenance of fire protection systems — so PVSTOP arrives with training, documentation and a service team behind it, not just a courier tracking number.
Before you enquire.
Will it damage my solar panels?
No. PVSTOP dries to a peelable film that comes off the glass by hand or with a pressure washer without marking the panel. If the incident was not caused by the PV system itself, an accredited technician can service the array and return it to full operation. It must not be applied to acrylic surfaces.
Does it work in the rain, or on wet panels?
Yes. It is designed for all weather conditions, including rain and already-wet panels. Unlike firefighting foam, which slides off glass, the polymer grips the surface and stays put for up to 12 months of weather exposure.
How long does it take to work?
Generation stops within seconds of the film covering the cells. You do not need to wait for it to dry for the panel to be de-energised — drying only matters for peeling it off later.
Do I have to cover the whole array?
No. Covering 40% of each panel — typically a band sprayed across the centre line — is enough to stop power generation. Covering panels completely is recommended best practice, drives DC voltage to zero, and makes removal easier afterwards.
Can we refill the vessel after use?
No. The portable pressure vessels are single use and are not designed to be refilled. Most sites keep spares on hand, sized to the array. We can advise on the right holding quantity.
Who is allowed to use it?
Trained operators only — fire and emergency services personnel or electrical contractors who have completed risk assessment training. We can arrange training for your team alongside supply.
Is it safe for the environment?
It is a non-toxic, water-based formula containing no PFAS, PFOS or PFOA. The dried film is disposed of as general waste. It carries ISO 14034:2016 Environmental Technology Verification and has been assessed by several independent environmental laboratories and agencies.
How much does it cost, and how fast can you deliver?
Pricing depends on vessel size and quantity. Message us with your array size and location and we'll come back with a quote and lead time — usually the same working day.
Tell us about your roof.
Array size, location, and whether this is for emergency response or maintenance. That's all we need to quote you.
Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Sat 8am–1pm
What happens next
- You send your array size and location. A photo of the roof helps but isn't required.
- We size the vessel quantity and send a written quote, usually the same working day.
- We arrange delivery and, if you want it, an on-site demonstration and operator training for your team.
The Problem with Solar Panels
Solar panels can't be easily turned off. These panels generate electricity as long as they're exposed to sunlight, leading to safety concerns. In the event of a short circuit or an emergency (such as a fire or flood), they continue to produce potentially lethal amounts of DC voltage (electricity)
The Solution - PV Stop
PVSTOP is a simple solution to a complicated and technical problem. The coating is applied to solar panels, blocking the light and rendering the solar PV system electrically safe. The PV module does not need to be entirely covered for the panel to be deactivated. Spraying a line down the middle of the panel, for example, and covering only as much as 25% of the cells is enough to interrupt solar power production.
The ONLY way to de-energise or “switch off” solar panels at the source of production (the solar panel) is to block the light – light is the source of power
PVSTOP is designed to be used in the event of short circuits, emergency incidents such as fire, flood or storms, as well as during routine maintenance
Benefits of PV Stop
FAST
PVStop's spray delivery system guarantees swift coverage for solar panels. Upon contact, the fire retardant solution blocks light to the PV cells. Neutralizing the panel takes less than three seconds, with complete deactivation achieved in just six seconds.
PORTABLE
Designed with convenience in mind, PV Stop mimics the functionality of a fire extinguisher. You can apply PVStop from as close as 5 meters or up to 30 meters away, enabling coating application during installation, maintenance, or emergency situations.
WEATHER PROOF
Unpredictable weather conditions are no match for PV Stop. Its polymer film adheres seamlessly to solar panels, maintaining its grip regardless of rain or moisture. Unlike traditional firefighting foam that may slide off, PV Stop's steadfast adherence ensures continuous protection.
REMOVABLE BY HAND
Once the job is done, PV Stop can be peeled off by hand without leaving a trace. This non-adhesive solution is designed to protect your solar panels without causing any damage. Even after a year of application, exposure to UV rays and weather elements won't hinder its easy removal.
REVOLUTIONARY SOLUTION
A common misconception is that solar panels no longer work when damaged or broken. Water applied to a damaged solar panel system (for example during rain) can radically increase the danger of electrocution. By promptly disabling panels and halting arcs, PV Stop effectively prevents flames from spreading.
Who Benefits from PV Stop?
FIRE & RESCUS SERVICES AND FIRST RESPONDERS
PVSTOP protects personnel from dangerous electricity. It's a vital safety tool for emergencies.
ELECTRICAL TECHNICIANS AND MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL
PVSTOP’s liquid blanket drops electricity to zero, creating safer workplaces.
PV SYSTEM OWNERS
PVSTOP ensures safety during crises like fires, making solar panels safe.
PV SYSTEM OPERATORS
Enhance site safety by equipping responders and technicians with PVSTOP, boosting personnel well-being.
Our satisfied customers
