Analysis of Lightning Strike Accident on Photovoltaic Panels

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.

Do lightning transient effects affect PV arrays during lightning strike?

The lightning transient effects on PV arrays are studied based on the system modeling to assess the recommended LPS designs studied in the literature. The paper also gives some recommendations about the modeling methods and protection of PV systems during lightning strike. 1. Introduction

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.

What influences Lightning transient overvoltage in a PV system?

The influences of the lightning current waveform, soil resistivity, and height of the tower on the lightning transient overvoltage in the PV system are discussed. Both scenarios studied above (lightning strikes to the transmission line and strikes to the tower) are considered.

What happens if lightning strikes a PV system?

In addition, lightning current can cause a potential rise in the grounding grid. The voltage between the positive/negative lines of the DC cable and the grid may cause breakdown of cable insulation. In this section, transient analysis of a practical PV system is performed to investigate these voltages under a direct lightning strike.

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.