Abstract
Solar photovoltaic (PV) farms currently play a vital role in the generation of electrical power in different countries, such as Malaysia, which is moving toward the use of renewable energy. Malaysia is one of the countries with abundant sunlight and thus can use solar PV farms as alternative sources for electricity generation. However, lightning strikes frequently occur in the country. Being installed in open and flat areas, solar PV farms, especially their electronic components, are at great risk of damage caused by lightning. In this paper, the effects of lightning currents with different peak currents and waveshapes on grid-connected solar PV farms were determined to approximate the level of transient effect that can damage solar PV modules, inverters and transformers. Depending on the location of the solar PV farm, engineer can obtain information on the peak current and median current of the site from the lightning location system (LLS) and utilise the results obtained in this study to appropriately assign an SPD to protect the solar panel, inverter and the main panel that connected to the grid. Therefore, the simulation results serve as the basis for controlling the effects of lightning strikes on electrical equipment and power grids where it provides proper justification on the ‘where to be installed’ and ‘what is the rating’ of the SPD. This judgment and decision will surely reduce the expensive cost of repair and replacement of electrical equipment damages due to the lightning.
Highlights
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have moved to the forefront of public and industry awareness on sustainable and renewable energy sources, which are alternatives to fossil fuels for electricity generation
The PV systems may be liable to suffer a crucial impact in a way that can lead towards severe damage; for instance, failure of the electrical and electronic parts in the building or PV installation and disruption of their normal operation
Lightning current waveshapes can be characterised through different mathematical expressions
Summary
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have moved to the forefront of public and industry awareness on sustainable and renewable energy sources, which are alternatives to fossil fuels for electricity generation. It is a fact that many PV systems, at least in Malaysia, are not properly protected against lightning Due to this exposure, the PV systems may be liable to suffer a crucial impact in a way that can lead towards severe damage; for instance, failure of the electrical and electronic parts in the building or PV installation and disruption of their normal operation. Our aim is to provide references and guidelines for the installation of lightning protection systems (LPSs) in solar PV farms. It is not the proposal for determining the rating of Surge Protective Device (SPD) to be used. It is meant to provide a feasibility study prior to the commissioning of the system by the authority
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.