The majority of Residential Solar Energy Systems are install on roofs of residential buildings. Nevertheless, the large metal surface and height from the ground make rooftop solar systems more susceptible to being struck by lightning during thunderstorms.
So, What Happens If a Solar Panel Gets Struck by Lightning?
A severe electrical surge may result in fire, safety issues, and property damage or loss of life.
PV systems are becoming more standard, thanks to industry maturity. But there remain doubts regarding What Happens If Lightning Hits A Solar Panel.
The added layer of protection may feel unnecessary, but lightning damage and downtime due to lightning can end up costing thousands more than the cost of implementing a protection system from the beginning.
Lightning protection, however, isn’t intend to prevent lightning from striking. Instead, it controls the path of the lightning after it strikes.
Unfortunately, that is about all you can do. When lightning strikes an object it goes through a place you don’t want it to go.
Many solar power system installers, based on decades of experience, accept the following techniques as the most Cost Effective Ways of Best Solar Panels Installations.
#6 Ways to Protect Solar Panels from Lightning
Go through each of the given effective methods to protect your solar power from lighting and increase the lifespan of your solar.
#1.Ground Your System Properly
The most effective method to Protect Solar Panels from Lightning is grounding.
If you direct lightning surges to the ground, you can bypass your valuable equipment, and they are safely discharged into the earth and not into your house.
Whenever there is an electrical path to ground, static electricity accumulates in overground structures. A result of this discharge is that lightning is less likely to form.
Surge protectors and lightning arrestors serve to protect electronic equipment by absorbing electrical surges. Grounding is still crucial, however. Only when used in combination with good grounding are they effective.
The grounding system is therefore essential for your wiring infrastructure. We recommend installing it before or while installing the power wires.
The system would simply not work without this component, so it may never appear on the “to do” list.
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#2. Ground Rods
One of the weakest points of many installations is their connection to the ground. After all, one cannot just bolt a wire onto the planet!
It is much better to burry or hammer a rod made of noncorrosive, conductive metal (generally copper), so that the majority of its surface area contacts the moist (conductive) soil.
So when static electricity comes down the line or a surge hits, the electrons are able to drain into the ground with minimum resistance.
#3. Grounding Power Circuits
As part of building wiring, the NEC requires the ground end of DC power systems to be connect directly to ground. Such a system must also be ground in the conventional manner for a grid-connect system.
It is necessary for a modern home system in the Australia to ground the power system.
In order to guarantee a reliable grounding system, it is crucial that the DC negative and the AC neutral are both attach to the ground at only one point in their respective systems. The grounding take place at the main power panel.
Some single-purpose, stand-alone products (such as solar water pumps and radio repeaters) do not recommend grounding their power circuits.
You can consult the manufacturer for details regarding Solar Lightning System.
#4. Array Wiring & Twisted Pair Technique
If using wires, be sure to tuck them into the metal framework using the shortest length possible. Positive and negative wires should be run together whenever possible, and of equal length.
This reduces the likelihood of excessive voltage being inducted between the conductors. Grounded conduits also provide protection against excessive voltage. Rather than running long outdoor wires overhead, burrow them.
It is like an antenna when a wire stretches 100 feet (30 meters) or more. The wire will receive lightning surges even when the sun is shining.
Although surges can still occur when transmission wires are buried, many installers agree that this further limits the possibility of damage due to lightning.
#5. Lightning Arrestors
Storm (surge) arrestors are design to eliminate voltage spikes and surges cause by lightning (or by utility power that is below spec). They bypass power lines and equipment effectively.
If you have long wire runs connecting any part of your system, including AC lines from an inverter, you should install surge protectors at both ends.
Both AC and DC arrestors are available in various voltage. Choose the correct arrestor according to your application.
For lightning-prone sites and larger installations, PolyPhaser and Transtector Lightning Arrester For Solar System are excellent products.
They offer robust protection and are compatible with a variety of voltages. Several models have indicators that indicate if a failure has occur.
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#6. Using Lightening Rods
Lightning rods are static discharge devices place above residential and commercial buildings and solar panels. These devices prevent direct lightning strikes.
As a result, solar power systems are much less likely to be struck by lightning since they provide an alternative, low-resistance, direct route to earth.
It is typical to use lighting rods only at sites where there have been recent extreme electrical storms. If you think your site falls into this category, hire a contractor who has experience in lightning protection.
So these were some Protection Techniques Used For Solar Pv System. It is crucial that you take measures to Protect Solar Panels from Lightning to ensure its long-term functionality.
However, if you are new with solar panels let the people pro at it offer the best deals for you!
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