Technical Specification for Lightning Protection of Solar Power Plants

1-General Principles of Lightning Protection

1. Lightning protection projects for solar panels shall be designed in accordance with IEC 62305 national and international standards.
2. The lightning protection project shall include an external lightning protection system, internal lightning protection system, grounding and equipotential bonding system. The sizing of system components shall be determined based on lightning risk analysis and resulting conditions.
3. The external lightning protection design shall be based on the rolling sphere method with integrated Franklin air terminals and mesh method in accordance with IEC 62305.
4. The products used in the internal lightning protection section must be specifically suitable for photovoltaic areas.

2-PHOTOVOLTAIC SURGE ARRESTER SYSTEM

1. All devices within the system that are at risk of damage from surge voltages shall be protected against lightning and surge currents.
2. All AC–DC lines and data lines within the system shall be protected.

3-DC LINE PROTECTION

1. Before the inverter, a Type 1+2 protection device with VG technology, secondary current extinguishing capacity of 40 kA shall be used. The product must operate between -40°C and +85°C, have IP20 protection, alarm contact output, and comply with UTE C61-740-51, EN50539-11, UL1449 ed.3 standards.
2. Type 2 protection devices must have EN 50539 test certificates. At nominal current, UCpv <0.1 mA for impulses between 15–40 kA. Products combining Gas Filled and Spark Gap technologies are preferred.

4-AC LINE PROTECTION

1. B+C class Spark Gap + VG technology products shall be preferred in AC power panels.
2. Products with 10/350 and 8/20 waveforms must be capable of extinguishing 100 kA impulses on earth-neutral lines.
3. Products must have NF EN 61643-11 test certificates.

5-DATA LINE PROTECTION

1. RS232 and RS485 communication modules must be protected with Class D protection modules.
2. The use of CAT input products instead of wired products will increase data transmission speed.

EXTERNAL LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM

1. The system shall consist of air terminals, fixing components, down conductors, line holders, quad and T connectors. Conductors shall be fixed at appropriate intervals according to the risk group and protection class determined by risk analysis.
2. The lightning activity value ‘E’ of the structure shall be calculated and the protection level determined accordingly.
3. All solar panels shall be within the protection angle of air terminals according to TSE EN 62305. Panels shall be interconnected via mesh method and terminated with grounding electrodes, with a surrounding ring conductor ensuring equal resistance throughout the system.
4. Lightning protection systems shall be fixed to the ground according to IEC 62305 standards, with compatible air terminals and bases designed with moment balance.
5. Air terminal bases must have successfully passed 100 kA lightning impulse tests and be frost resistant.
6. All fixing and connection components must comply with DIN norms and have proven high-voltage resistance under EN 50164.
7. Anti-corrosion tape shall be used on panel and grounding electrode connections.

GROUNDING AND EQUIPOTENTIAL SYSTEM

1. Grounding electrodes shall comply with VDE 0185-305 (IEC 62305). Galvanized strip conductors used in panel foundations must have a minimum coating thickness of 70 microns.
2. Anti-corrosion tape shall be applied at every grounding connection point.
3. Soil resistivity reducing chemicals may be used where resistance remains high.
4. Grounding electrodes shall be interconnected using grounding conductors.
5. Inspection chambers shall be installed at electrode points for operational accessibility.
6. Ground resistance values shall be measured and monitored regularly by an electrical consultant.
7. It is recommended to establish a ring conductor and equipotential bonding using stainless steel bars.
8. Equipotential bars shall comply with VDE 0100 Sections 410 and 540, and VDE 0185-305, made of stainless steel (V2A).
9. The lightning protection system is completed through integration of grounding, external lightning protection, equipotential bonding and internal lightning protection systems; therefore, surge protection devices must be installed especially at external lightning protection points.

You may contact our center for project design, product supply and implementation.

For inquiries: info@yilkomer.com