Cost-effective lightning protection of high-performance photovoltaic power plants

Renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic power plants, are an increasing part of the power system. Consequently, the chance of losing these power plants during a thunderstorm is growing and their loss leads to lower green energy share during appropriate circumstances, as well. This publication aims to present the design of primary lightning protection of photovoltaic systems, which has an important part in the protection of solar inverters and panels from overvoltage. The risk of lightning induced phenomena increases with greater and greater plant performance i.e., larger area, however considering plant arrangement and environmental factors a cost-efficient primary lightning protection can be realised for any installation. Incorrect solutions used to construct lightning protection system are presented. The article states that a lower lightning protection rating is sufficient, and primary lightning protection can be omitted in a lot of cases.