Photovoltaic panel lightning arrester installation

How do I protect my PV system from lightning strikes?

To protect your PV system from direct lightning strikes, steps should be taken to ensure that the system is incorporated into the protective zone of the existing air termination system*. Additionally,* the correct surge and lightning equipotential bonding SPD’s should be installed where required on incoming services. In order to avoid this, the PV system should be protected.

Can a PV mounting system carry a lightning current?

The metal components of the PV mounting system must be connected to the external lightning protection system in such a way that they can carry lightning currents (cop-per conductor with a cross-section of at least 16 mm2 or equivalent).

Do solar power generation systems need a surge arrester?

Solar power generation systems are an integral part of to-day’s electrical systems. They should be equipped with ad-equate lightning current and surge arresters, thus ensuring long-term faultless operation of these sources of electricity. Modular combined lightning current and surge arrester for TN-C systems.

Do PV systems need lightning protection?

With all the barriers discussed in Section 3.3, the need for lightning protection on PV systems must be evaluated on the basis of the risk analysis and protection costs. Table 10 presents the recommended standards related to PV systems including PV installations, lightning protection systems and electrical installations. Table 10.

What type of arrester should be used in a PV system?

According to Sup-plement 5 of the German DIN EN 62305-3 standard and the CENELEC CLC/TS 50539-12 standard, d.c. lines must be pro-tected by a type 1 SPD for PV systems. For this purpose, a type 1 and type 2 DEHNcombo YPV SCI (FM) combined arrester is used. Lightning equipotential bond-ing must also be implemented in the low-voltage infeed.

Can a PV system be struck by lightning?

A PV system installed above the protective zone offered by the existing Lightning Protection System may be at risk of receiving a direct lightning strike. This could make the existing Lightning Protection System non-compliant and provide a path for lightning currents to enter the building and endanger life.