Officials in western P.E.I. warn residents to expect more smoke from solar farm fire

SUMMERSIDE – A battery fire at a solar farm in western P.E.I. continued to smoulder on Saturday, almost a week after the stubborn blaze started and warnings were issued about toxic smoke.

City officials issued a statement advising residents that in the days ahead they may see more smoke around the Sunbank solar farm in Summerside. The statement said the smoke would be the result of battery cells that continue to burn off.

“Flare-ups such as this may continue until the fire is officially deemed out,” the statement said. “This is why our emergency response team continues to monitor the site around the clock, 24 hours a day.”

The officials said residents who are sensitive to smoke or have underlying respiratory conditions should consider reducing their outdoor activities, citing advice offered Thursday by the province’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Heather Morrison.

On Monday, the fire prompted an immediate shelter-in-place order, a voluntary evacuation notice, road closures and two school closures the following day.

The shelter-in-place order was quickly downgraded to a voluntary advisory, which was lifted later in the week as the two schools were reopened.

On Thursday, Morrison said results from air-quality monitoring confirmed gasses from the burning batteries did not pose a threat to residents, citing advice from toxicology experts at the Atlantic Poison Control Centre in Halifax.

She said the gasses were dissipating quickly.

“It is safe to exercise and be outside,” she said in a video posted on social media. “Of course, as with any fire or smoky area, anyone experiencing persistent difficulties or other significant symptoms should seek medical advice.”

Morrison said battery fires can smoulder for a long time.

A 2023 report from the U.S.-based Fire Protection Research Foundation says lithium-ion batteries, which are typically used to store electricity generated by solar panels, can catch fire when damaged by impacts or exposed to water.

Under certain conditions, both types of damage can lead to something called thermal runaway, which occurs when battery cells increase in temperature in an uncontrollable way. The result can be fire or explosion. 

The report says the chemical reaction inside the damaged battery creates flammable gasses that are self-sustaining and resistant to traditional firefighting techniques.

“Water and clean agents often cannot reach or cool the internal reaction, enormous water volumes may be required, and the risk of reignition, toxic gas release and explosion remains high, even after apparent extinguishment,” the report says. 

“As a result, codes and standards … focus on prevention, early detection and containment rather than extinguishment, acknowledging the unique hazards and persistent nature of these fires.”

When the $69-million solar farm was officially energized in January 2024, the city increased its reliance on renewable energy sources to 62 per cent. At the time, the farm’s 48,000 solar panels were producing 21.6 megawatts of solar energy. As well, it has battery capacity rated at 20-megawatt hours.

The farm produces enough energy to supply more than 2,500 homes.

Funding for the project came from the federal, provincial and municipal governments, as well as a $3.1 million contribution from Samsun Technical Investment.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2026.

— By Michael MacDonald in Halifax