Lightning protection for rooftop photovoltaic panels

Do rooftop photovoltaic systems need a lightning protection system?

This guideline also requires that LPL III and thus a lightning protection system accord-ing to class of LPS III be installed for rooftop PV systems (> 10 kWp) and that surge protection measures be taken. As a general rule, rooftop photovoltaic systems must not interfere with the existing lightning pro-tection measures.

Can Lightning affect a roof top PV system?

It has been shown that for buildings with roof top PV systems only the avoidance of lightning attachment to unprotected parts of the building is not sufficient. Lightning currents passing through the lightning protection system may still affect the PV power system through inductive coupling.

Is lightning protection necessary for PV systems?

Consequently, effective lightning protection is indispensable for PV systems. Lightning transient evaluation of a PV system has been a necessary task in designing effective LPS. Such evaluation has been addressed experimentally and numerically. Stern and Karner [ 10] investigated the induced voltages of a single panel in the laboratory.

How to protect solar power systems from lightning?

Upon considering these aims, earthing systems, surge protection devices and air termination networks play a crucial role in providing lightning protection for solar power systems in line with the industry standards IEC 62305, IEC TR 63227 and IEC 61643-32, to protect against the negative impacts caused from lightning. Earthing System

Can lightning cause a photovoltaic system failure?

Lightning can cause photovoltaic (PV) system failures as lightning that strikes the system from a great distance away, or even between clouds, can generate high-voltage surges.

Can lightning damage PV systems?

However, the knowledge of appropriate design and installation of lightning protection systems (LPS) are still under research. It has been reported that averagely 26% damage of PV systems is caused by lightning strikes [ 9 ]. This figure could be higher in the areas with severe lightning storms.