Is the storm a threat to photovoltaics?
Thunderstorms are one of the most dangerous atmospheric phenomena. Every year, lightning causes a lot of damage with heavy rain, gusty winds and lightning. Should owners of a photovoltaic installation be afraid of a thunderstorm? What risks does a lightning storm have for a photovoltaic installation? Check!
Does photovoltaics attract lightning?
It is a myth to believe that a photovoltaic installation increases the risk of lightning striking a building. It is also a myth that metal "attracts" lightning. Installing a photovoltaic installation on the roof, does not increase the risk of lightning strikes. Photovoltaic panels pose no danger in this respect. Lightning seeks the shortest path to the ground, so the risk of lightning strikes increases with height.
How to protect a photovoltaic installation from a lightning storm?
The basic protection of a photovoltaic installation is the installation of surge arresters. Overvoltage is a fundamental problem that often occurs with lightning. A surge is a sudden increase in operating voltage. With the installation of surge arresters, the unnatural electrical voltage created by the strike is discharged. The most commonly used surge arresters are those between 500 and 1500 V DC.
The installation of surge arresters does not protect against lightning. If the photovoltaics are located on the roof, in this case, a lightning protection system must be installed. The lightning protection installation allows the lightning current to be intercepted and sends it to the grounding system.
The installation of the system is also important. It is important that the installation is installed in accordance with current regulations and standards to ensure its safety in the event of a storm.
Photovoltaics and hail storms
During storms, PV is also exposed to other external factors such as gusty winds and hail. Often during thunderstorms with heavy rainfall, hail can occur and can reach large sizes. When this happens, it is worth bearing in mind that any approved photovoltaic panel must comply with IEC standards. Only high-quality components, can survive such extreme weather conditions. For more information on the impact of hail on photovoltaics, visit our blog: Can hail damage photovoltaic panels?
Innovative solutions - monitoring and remote control
In today's technological world, it makes sense to take advantage of innovative solutions. Monitoring systems allow the performance of the installation to be tracked in real time, and remote control enables a quick response to any problems arising from extreme weather conditions.
