Battery Storage Fires: Myths, Facts, and What Actually Happens #355
Battery energy storage fire safety is one of the most urgent permitting challenges facing solar and storage developers in 2026. Mike Nicholas, Energy Storage Specialist and Fire Consultant at Hiller Companies, brings a rare perspective: he built Kern County's entire BESS permitting program from scratch in 2019, when no national standards existed, and now travels the country helping developers, EPCs, and fire departments get these projects to yes.
Kern County has the highest concentration of renewable energy and battery storage in California, including the largest active battery storage…
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