Lightning and Surge Protection for

Photovoltaic Systems
Lightning is a common cause of failures in photovoltaic (PV) systems. A damaging
surge can occur from lightning that strikes a long distance from the system, or even
between clouds. But most lightning damage is preventable. Here are some of the
most cost-effective techniques that are generally accepted by power system
installers

Get Grounded
Grounding is the most fundamental technique for protection against lightning
damage. You cant stop a lightning surge, but you can give it a direct path to ground
that bypasses your valuable equipment, and safely discharges the surge into the
earth. An electrical path to ground will constantly discharge static electricity that
accumulates in an aboveground structure. Often, this prevents the attraction of
lightning in the first place.

Ground Rods
The weakest aspect of many installations is the connection to the earth itself. We
must bury or hammer a rod of conductive, noncorrosive metal (generally copper) into
the ground, and make sure most of its surface area contacts conductive (that means
moist) soil. This way, when static electricity or a surge comes down the line, the
electrons can drain into the ground with minimal resistance.

Grounding Power Circuits

For building wiring, the NEC requires one side of a DC power system to be
connected-or bonded-to ground. The AC portion of such a system must also be
grounded in the conventional manner of any grid-connected system. (This is true in
the United States. In other countries, ungrounded power circuits are the norm.)
Grounding the power system is required for a modern home system in the United
States. It is essential that the DC negative and the AC neutral are bonded to ground
at only one point in their respective systems, and both to the same point in the
grounding system. This is done at the central power panel.
Producers of some single-purpose, stand-alone systems (like solar water pumps and
radio repeaters) recommend not grounding the power circuit. Refer to the
manufacturers instructions for specific recommendations.

Array Wiring & Twisted Pair Technique

Array wiring should use minimum lengths of wire, tucked into the metal framework.
Positive and negative wires should be of equal length, and be run together whenever
possible. This will minimize induction of excessive voltage between the conductors.
Metal conduit (grounded) also adds a layer of protection. Bury long outdoor wire runs
instead of running them overhead. A wire run of 100 feet(30 m) or more is like an
antennait will receive surges even from lightning in the clouds. Similar surges can
still occur even if the wires are buried, but most installers agree that buried
transmission wiring further limits the possibility of lightning damage.

Additional Lightning Protection

In addition to extensive grounding measures, specialized surge protection devices
and (possibly) lightning rods are recommended for sites with any of the following
conditions:
Isolated location on high ground in a severe lightning area
Dry, rocky, or otherwise poorly conductive soil
Wire runs longer than 100 feet (30 m)

Lightning Arrestors
Lightning (surge) arrestors are designed to absorb voltage spikes caused by
electrical storms (or out-of-spec utility power), and effectively allow the surge to
bypass power wiring and your equipment. Surge protectors should be installed at
both ends of any long wire run that is connected to any part of your system, including
AC lines from an inverter. Arrestors are made for various voltages for both AC and
DC.Many system installers routinely use Delta surge arrestors, which are
inexpensive and offer some protection where the threat of lightning is moderate, but
these units are no longer UL listed.

PolyPhaser and Transtector arrestors are high quality products for lightning-prone
sites and larger installations. These durable units offer robust protection and
compatibility with a wide variety of system voltages. Some devices have indicators to
display failure modes.

Lightning Rods
Lightning rods are static discharge devices that are placed above buildings and
solar-electric arrays, and connected to ground. They are meant to prevent the
buildup of static charge and eventual ionization of the surrounding atmosphere. They
can help prevent a strike, and can provide a path for very high current to ground if a
strike does occur. Modern devices are spike-shaped, often with multiple points.
Lighting rods are typically only used at sites that experience extreme electrical
storms.