Solar Panels Attract Lightning

Anytime you put metal anywhere you are increasing the risk of a lightning strike.

Solar panels attract lightning.

Tp solar solar panel kit 100 watt 12 volt monocrystalline off grid system for homes rv boat 20a 12v 24v solar charge controller 16ft solar cables z brackets for mounting by tp solar 135 49 135. Lightning and related static discharge is the number one cause of sudden unexpected failures in pv systems lightning does not have to strike directly to cause damage to sensitive electronic equipment such as inverters controls radios and entertainment equipment it can be miles away and invisible and still induce high voltage surges in wiring especially in long lines. The inverters and controllers are. Quick answer is yes.

Lightning isn t attracted to metal. A damaging surge can occur from lightning that strikes a long distance from the system or even between clouds. No solar panels do not attract lightning. The frames and mounts on panels are usually grounded sometimes more by accident than design and that often diverts the lightning directly to ground saving the panels.

Additionally a grounding rod above the roof s surface can mitigate even the slightest chance of lightning striking during a storm. They re almost asking for a lightning strike which can damage or destroy solar panels inverters and other critical equipment. With respect to the latter i mentioned above that solar panels don t attract lightning or increase your risk of being hit. Since a photovoltaic installation does not increase the probability of lightning strikes the solar modules themselves are no more at risk than the inverter or other loads connected to the grid.

However in the rare event of the solar generator be. How to protect your solar power system from lightning lightning is a common cause of failures in photovoltaic pv and wind electric systems. While lightning is attracted to the highest items in an area and solar systems are often present as roof installations the panels themselves do not attract lightning. Also the battery banks on most off grid pv systems act as a fairly good surge arrestor if you have good connections and a good ground but it may take out the controller on.

Dispelling myths about lightning. So it s no surprise that lightning activity and surge related over voltage abnormalities are identified as leading causes of solar project downtime. Solar farms are just big fields covered with conductive material. There are a lot of old wives tales when it comes to lightning.

For solar homeowners here are a few myths to dispell.