Busting the Myth: Lightning Protection for Small PV Plants is No "Making a Mountain Out of a Molehill"

Myth: Does "Small" Equal "Safe"? The Cost Far Exceeds Imagination

Cost Myth: "Small plant equipment has low value, so losses are minimal"? A single lightning strike can cause module damage, inverter burnout, data loss, or even fire. The repair costs far exceed the initial savings from skipping lightning protection. Small plants also bear grid connection responsibilities; the fines or compensation costs resulting from faults cannot be overlooked.

Risk Myth: "Lightning strikes are low-probability events"? Lightning activity is both regional and random. Even in areas with low annual thunderstorm days, a single unprotected direct strike or induced surge is enough to destroy the system. Photovoltaic panels, spread over large areas on rooftops or open ground, are inherently "lightning attractors".

Technical Myth: "Simple grounding is sufficient"? Basic grounding alone cannot effectively channel lightning currents or suppress the massive surge voltages induced by lightning. Modern PV systems contain sensitive electronic equipment (inverters, monitoring systems) that are highly vulnerable to electrical surges.

Truth: Lightning Protection Knows No Size – Only Smart Protection Ensures Lasting Safety

As the industry adage states: "No PV system is too small for lightning protection." The core concept of protection is never about the plant's scale, but rather intelligent, systematic protection strategies:

1.External Protection: Properly install lightning rods/air-termination systems to form an effective air-termination network, safely channeling direct lightning strike currents into the ground.

2.Internal Protection: Install matched Surge Protective Devices (SPDs) at critical nodes on both the DC side (between modules and inverter) and the AC side (inverter output, grid connection point). These SPDs clamp lightning-induced overvoltages in a layered defense.

3.Equipotential Bonding: Ensure reliable connection and grounding of all metal components (mounting structures, equipment enclosures, cable shielding). This eliminates potential differences and prevents internal sparking.

4.Intelligent Monitoring (Optional but Recommended): Integrate smart SPDs with remote communication capabilities and monitoring systems. This enables realtime status tracking of lightning protection equipment and facilitates predictive maintenance.