Why do I need lightning and surge protection?
Lightning and thunder - this spectacular natural phenomenon has occupied people since the beginning of cultural history. The great power of thunderstorms has long been associated with supernatural forces, and man has seen himself at the mercy of others. It was not until the Age of Enlightenment and the intensification of technological progress that celestial wonders began to be considered scientifically. In 1752, Benjamin Franklin showed experimentally that the phenomenon of lightning is basically an electric charge. Thunderstorm Hazard Meteorological estimates indicate that about 9 billion lightning strikes occur worldwide every day. Most thunderstorms occur in tropical latitudes. Nevertheless, the number of reported damages due to direct or indirect lightning strikes continues to increase. In the event of lightning strikes, good PV lightning and surge protection can protect your photovoltaic system from severe damage.
What is meant by surge protection?
To reduce the consequences of lightning strikes on the plant, on the site or in its vicinity, it has been mandatory since 2018 to implement appropriate photovoltaic surge protection measures. This affected new construction in the residential and commercial sectors.
What is the purpose of lightning protection?
Lightning protection systems are designed to protect structural assets from fire or mechanical damage and to protect people in buildings from injury or even death. A complete lightning protection system includes external lightning protection (lightning protection/grounding) and internal lightning protection (surge protection).
Is PV lightning protection mandatory?
Even if the risk of lightning striking your PV system is low, it cannot be completely eliminated. And if it happens, the damage will definitely be very high. A direct strike can damage the module, and a high current can damage downstream components, including your home network. Through feed points, even the public grid can be affected. But it doesn't have to be a direct hit. A lightning strike near your home can also damage your PV system. The strong electromagnetic fields associated with lightning can induce high voltages and currents in your system, which can also cause costly damage. Given the high cost of damage in an emergency, installing lightning protection for photovoltaic systems is well worth considering.