How Solar Plants Can Benefit From Lightning and Surge Protection Installation

The most precious and efficient natural energy source is from solar power plants, where the sunlight is transformed into usable electricity. This is the renewable source of energy that helps turn on lights and operate appliances in your facility. This is the future of electricity generation which would help us attain energy efficiency and cost efficiency goals. Solar is not only the new trend but also the best of all sources of energy. You would gain a lot from this free energy source as it is clean, non-polluting, and emits no amount of carbon into the atmosphere.

Solar system has now become the fastest growing industry and is now the trend owing to such stupendous attributes. Solar panels installed at optimum angles capture the sunlight within photovoltaic cells, and this harnessed power is distributed to various outlets. The smooth and proper functioning of solar installed on the rooftop is at risk from unpredictable natural occurrences such as Lightning and thunderstorms that can happen at any time. Due to the entry of electric disturbances, its normal functioning is distrusted and further reduced shelf life. Along with revolutionizing power generation, we must also ensure its protection from such electric disturbances.

In this session, we would break down and explain the solar protection system to be installed for the solar system and its installation process.

Dive Into Lightning and Its Harmful Effects on the Solar System - 

Lightning is not so uncommon now, they happen without any warning sign, so it is essential to incorporate defensive installations against such natural occurrences. Moreover, these solar panels and the electrical grid installations are always installed on the rooftop and exposed to the atmosphere to capture maximum sunlight, which can easily conduct in case of any lightning occurrences. Apart from damaging the solar system, conducting a high bolt of electric current can also be dangerous to humans and their property, so protection incorporation is of top priority. 

Considering the solar installation and its exposure to harsh weather conditions, you must have installed both the lightning protector and surge protector, so that your facility is well prepared to face such natural events. As per standard recommendation, it is observed that by installing lightning arresters and down conductors, lightning discharges are captured and dissipated safely to the ground through the maintenance-free earthing system. Ground termination system is an important factor for achieving maximum out of the installation if they are made of the best material concoction, i.e. copper bonded steel conductor that should be surrounded with earth enhancement conductor, which is as per IS 3043: 2018 & NBC 2016.

Surge Protection Solutions Essentially for PV Installations:

Surge events can cause serious damages and leave you paying high on identifying and repairing the damaged parts. Both direct and indirect strikes can cause system failure or downtime. Understanding the damage caused by surges, PV surge protection devices are designed capable of discharging the surges to the ground. The choice of green energy is made by having a complex electric network and components that are susceptible to damage due to massive amounts of energy called power surges.

These transient voltage events known as surges simply increase the threshold working voltage level of the devices, which must be eliminated from encroaching into the devices by installing a Solar / PV surge Protection Device. The Photovoltaic modules mounted on the panel and the other integrals of the system can be protected from the surges entering in via the lightning strikes, power dips, sags, grid voltages or ground faults would be protected with the installation of Solar / PV surge Protection Device of appropriate voltage and current rating.