E+C August 2018

ELECTRICAL PROTECTION + SAFETY

Lightning and surge protection on solar plants

Alexis Barwise, Lightning Protection Concepts

It is of great importance to protect the sensitive electronic system components on solar farms or rooftop solar panels, as well as any equipment that is connected downstream, from failure due to lightning flashes and surges.

Take Note!

The three-step protection pyr- amid: Installation of a stable grounding system. Installation of AC and DC surge protection devices. Installation of a well-de- signed structural lightning protection system. 1 2 3

I n recent years, photovoltaic (PV) systems have become a significant sector within the energy market, with the International Energy Agency saying that: "The development of affordable, inex- haustible and clean solar energy technologies will have huge longer-term benefits. "It will increase countries’ energy security through reliance on an indigenous, inexhaustible and mostly import-independent resource, en-

hance sustainability, reduce pollution, lower the costs of mitigating climate change and keep fossil fuel prices lower than otherwise. These advantag- es are global". Given that these costly plants are frequently subject to climatic influence, measures to protect the sensitive electronic system com- ponents from failure due to lightning flashes and surges are essential. Lightning surges in the PV system can dam-

4 Electricity + Control

AUGUST 2018