Lightning protection and grounding of photovoltaic panels

Does a lightning protection system work on a grid-connected photovoltaic park?

In this paper, the performance of a lightning protection system (LPS) on a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) park is studied by simulating different scenarios with the use of an appropriate software tool.

Are PV systems vulnerable to lightning?

Similar to other power systems [ , , , , ], PV systems are vulnerable to lightning because they are always installed in unsheltered open areas. Recent studies on lightning protection of PV systems have drawn much attentions [ 9 ].

Is lightning protection necessary for PV systems?

Consequently, effective lightning protection is indispensable for PV systems. Lightning transient evaluation of a PV system has been a necessary task in designing effective LPS. Such evaluation has been addressed experimentally and numerically. Stern and Karner [ 10] investigated the induced voltages of a single panel in the laboratory.

Does lightning protection work on solar panels?

Research, as described in a recent review on the performance of lightning protection on photovoltaic systems (roof mounted or solar farms) has just started due to high penetration on the power distribution grids . In , the impact of a standard impulse lightning strike on the performance of single PV modules is evaluated.

How will a lightning protection system affect PV power generation?

All this kind of destruction will undoubtedly affect the economic aspects or the return on investment that could be earned from PV power generation as well as the cost of repair or replacement to recover from the damage, all of which can be mitigated by implementing a lightning protection system (LPS) .

Can lightning damage a photovoltaic system?

Lightning is a common cause of failures in photovoltaic (PV) and wind-electric systems. A damaging surge can occur from lightning that strikes a long distance from the system or between clouds. But most lightning damage is preventable. Here are some of the most cost-effective techniques generally accepted by based on decades of experience.