Photovoltaic panel lightning strike accident case

How to protect PV panels during lightning strikes?

Therefore, an adequate lightning protection system (LPS) must be installed to protect the PV panels. In addition, the transient performance of PV panels during lightning strikes must be analyzed well. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the superior modeling methods of PV systems during lightning strikes.

Was a photovoltaic system damaged during a lightning storm?

Two installations of photovoltaic (PV) systems were damaged during lightning storms. The two sites were visited and the damaged equip- ment that was still available on the site was examined for analysis of the suspected light- ning-related damage.

What causes system failures in PV plant during a lightning strike?

System failures in the PV plant during a lightning strike may be caused by the failure of PV inverters, breakdown of bypass diodes, arcing between PV frame and wires, and others. A power inverter plays a vital role in energy conversion in the PV system. It transforms the DC power generated by the PV modules into three-phase AC power.

Does a PV plant withstand a lightning strike?

The withstand voltage is generally linearly proportional to the number of bypass diodes connected in series. This paper investigated the transient behaviors of a PV plant during a lightning strike to the transmission line nearby. With the PEEC method, lightning-induced voltages in the PV system were simulated.

What is a lightning strike in a PV rooftop system?

Lightning strike at point 2 after inverter. As per the standard, SPD Type II installation uses the lightning impulse current waveshape of 8/20μs. Due to direct lightning strike on certain points of the PV Rooftop system, extremely high current and voltage propagated as travelling waves are produced.

Are photovoltaic systems exposed to lightning?

1. Introduction Photovoltaic systems are inherently exposed to direct and indirect lightning effecfs. For high- capacity systems, the deployment of solar cell arrays requires a large area with commensurate exposure to direct lightning strikes at the local annual rate of ground strikes per unit area.