PVrosion: ACCELERATED CORROSION BLIND SPOTS INHERENT TO PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS' OPERATION AND UNDETECTED DC FAULTS - TROJAN HORSE FOR DETERIORATING THE INTEGRITY OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURES AND BUILDINGS

PVrosion: Accelerated Corrosion Blind Spots Inherent to Photovoltaic Systems' Operation and Undetected DC Faults - Trojan horse for Deteriorating the Integrity of Critical Infrastructures and Buildings, is a 2019 project funded by the Research and Innovation Foundation of Cyprus. The project elaborates on a new issue that progressively receives attention by the photovoltaic (PV) installation industry and critical infrastructure's operators. It specifically introduces “DC stray current corrosion blind spots” that are inherent to PV systems' earthing and associated DC ground fault detection mechanisms. Blind spots arise as the existing protection thresholds for DC leakage currents have been based on other issues, such as fire or personnel safety. Using soil and concrete as conductive mediums, DC leakage currents can stray out of the area of PV installations and interfere with nearby third-party critical infrastructure. This article presents an overview of the project activities, attainments and intended outcomes.