Protection of photoelectric systems from lightning

Abstract

The global PV market has grown extensively for small- to large-scale systems. Inevitably, this leads to the increased development of PV technology. PV systems are intrinsically exposed to weather phenomena. One such phenomenon is lightning. Direct and indirect effects of lightning can cause damage to PV systems. However, lightning protection for PV systems is often neglected and existing standards for protection are underdeveloped. In this paper, previous work is analysed to understand the interaction between lightning and PV systems and to ascertain gaps in current knowledge thereof. Investigation of these aspects will ultimately assist in understanding lightning risk, protection system design and aid in the development of lightning protection standards for PV in the renewable energy industry. The article also presents a specific case study, outlining the lightning protection system of a 3200W photovoltaic plant on a farm. The work includes a thorough description of the lightning protection system, addresses issues related to the contamination of PV surfaces, and proposes practical measures to ensure the safe and reliable operation of photovoltaic systems under adverse weather conditions. The experimental results affirm the significance of implementing lightning protection systems to ensure the robust performance of solar power plants.