Lightning Protection For Solar Power Plants

Protection against direct lightning strikes and transient overvoltage a lightning protection system for free field systems and solar parks has two main goals.

Lightning protection for solar power plants. However another area in the electricity supply paradigm where application of arresters needs to be considered are relatively small power stations also known as distributed generation dg plants. There are 6 600 operating power plants in the u s. Apart from direct strikes induction. Protecting the power plant area from lightning related damage protecting the modules inverters and monitoring systems from the effects of electromagnetic impulses.

Lightning strikes are dangerous involving currents of up to several hundred thousand amps with rise and decay times of a few microseconds. Lightning protection surge protection and comprehensive grounding engineering are a must when keeping power flowing to the grid. Power generation fossil solar and nuclear plants are typically constructed in large and unobstructed locations making these systems susceptible to lightning strikes. Try to route part of the system into wetter areas like where a roof drains or where plants are to be watered.

Solar lightning protection is important as lightning strikes and related electric discharge is one of the top reasons for sudden unexpected failures of solar systems. Solar panels are especially prone to lightning strikes due to their large surface area and placement in exposed locations such as on rooftops or ground mounted in open spaces. Lighting can seriously harm your pv system lightning strikes and related electric discharge are one of the top reasons for sudden unexpected failures of solar systems. This includes thermal coal oil nuclear geothermal anything that uses turbines that run on heat to generate energy hydroelectric solar wind or wave tidal.

Undp flashage qxp layout 1 11 2 16 11 45 am page 1. Where solar arrays are installed on residential or other rooftops lightning protection as described in nfpa 780 chapter 12 is a useful reference. Direct strikes causing large ground step potential differences are hazardous to life and limb and to equipment. Solar systems are often installed in open spaces away from.

If there is steel well casing nearby you can use it as a ground rod make a strong bolted connection to the casing. A lot of lightning protection work is buried and out. Solar arrays are also electronic devices and so are subject to the same potential for damage from surges. Earthing and lightning overvoltage protection for pv plants a guideline report november 2016 empowered lives.

Vfc and lyncole are proud to be the only company in the grounding industry that actively designs installs and verifies our utility and power generation lightning protection. Lightning protection is usually associated mainly with distribution networks or transmission lines and substations. How to protect your solar power system from lightning.