Solar system lightning protection
DEHN’s proactive power quality protection for solar systems
Thanks to your energy supply operation’s innovation in the solar sector, sustainable, renewable energy has never been more accessible.
But what if this critical electrical infrastructure was wiped off the grid in the blink of an eye? Without proper protection from harmful transient voltage threats, this hypothetical could become a startling reality for your company.
Also called photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar systems are highly susceptible to transient voltage events. Since they’re connected to the power grid, and many of the other sensitive electrical systems powering your energy supply operation, the threat spans far beyond one singular solar panel or the boundaries of a specific solar park.
When even one of these systems goes down due to overvoltage, thousands of North American consumers and commercial entities could go without power.
When you partner with DEHN, you don’t have to worry about being the cause of the next major power quality disruption due to transient voltage damage. Our specialized solutions for the solar sector ensure you’re electrical components can stand up against inevitable surge events.
We start with a risk assessment to get to know the specific threats facing your solar and PV systems. Contact DEHN to schedule an assessment today.
How transient voltage hurts solar systems
Widely distributed across open fields, rooftops, and other exterior, exposed areas, PV and solar systems are built tough. They have to be able to provide reliable power in the face of extreme weather and power grid fluctuations.
Despite their durability and innovative construction, without additional protection and proper grounding, these systems are still highly vulnerable to power quality disruptions caused by transient voltage. These dangerous electrical events can be either internal transient voltage – daily electrical noise from your own internal components – or external transient voltage, which consists of lightning strikes, as well as surges and overvoltage from connected or nearby systems, such as the power grid.
As PV infrastructure is often a grouping of individual solar panels and PV components, a single small surge or electrical disruption can trigger a domino effect of damage that wipes out the entire solar park or even aspects of the connected power grid.
While a direct or indirect lighting strike is one of the most common electrical threats to these outdoor systems, the damage can come from anywhere at any time. And the consequences of inaction are costly.
PV systems produce solar power to reduce energy costs and cover a portion of one’s own energy consumption. For example, in residential buildings solar power can help support heat pumps, household appliances, and EV charging. When surge damage or a failure within a system occurs, power stops flowing and your customers lose their cheaper, more sustainable electricity supply.
In your own operation, this means falling back on the more expensive electricity from the supply grid and facing reputation damages related to your inability to fulfill contractual power obligations.
On top of it all, you still have to repair or replace the damaged solar components, from modules and inverters to monitoring systems, which can quickly blow your operating budgets.
Don’t let transient voltage cast a shadow on your solar infrastructure. Prevent failures, help your customers reduce energy costs, and ensure an uninterrupted, sustainable power supply with proactive protection from DEHN.
Request a risk assessment from our experienced team today.
Contact DEHN today to schedule your risk assessmentThe threat to rooftop PV systems
Rooftop PV systems are among the most common solar system placements. Buildings without external lightning protection, surge protection, or a grounding system, are more likely to experience severe damage during a lightning strike or internal surge.
When transient voltage occurs within a rooftop PV system, more than just your electrical components are at risk. The entire building could be compromised by the effects of a direct lightning strike or fire. People inside and around your building could face great injury from a fire, electrical malfunctions, or falling debris. Think of the shock that would come from touching a bare or insulated wire that severed. Now multiply that by thousands.
No one wants to get a call that a person has been injured or their energy supply facility has had to shut down completely. Prevent the worst-case scenario with transient voltage protection from DEHN.
Surge happens… in free field systems and solar parks
Solar parks are widely distributed and often completely exposed, except for a fence or similar guard around the perimeter. As a result, electrical events are common across these free field systems.
With their interconnectivity to each other, the power grid, and other electrical systems, this solar panel system must be protected from both lightning-related damage and electromagnetic impulses.
To help protect your time, money, and reputation, DEHN can create a PV system protection concept with a unique configuration – such as a centralized configuration with a central inverter or a distributed configuration with a string inverter, to minimize the risk of negative side effects of transients.
Schedule a risk assessment with DEHN today.
Soak up the sun with DEHN’s tailored solutions
DEHN was founded in Germany over a century ago with the goal of providing top-notch power quality solutions to diverse industries. In 2003, we moved into the North American market and have been assisting partners in the energy supply industry with power preservation ever since.
From our surge protectors and grounding systems to lightning protection systems and lightning arrestors, all our products comply with industry standards set by regulatory bodies like LPI and NFPA 780.
When we talk about protection, we're not talking about an old-school lightning rod. Our high-quality solar protection products include:
- DEHNshield
- DEHNguard
- DEHNventil
- BLITZDUCTOR
- Equipotential bonding equipment
- Grounding systems
Get informed about your systems and opportunities to protect them with DEHN’s in-depth risk assessment. Give us a call to schedule your appointment today.
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BLITZDUCTORconnect ML2 BD24
Space-saving, modular combined arrester with a width of 6 mm and push-in connection technology with status indication for protecting one pair of unearthed balanced interfaces. With signal disconnection for maintenance purposes.
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953206
DEHNrail M 2P 30
Two-pole DEHNrail modular surge arrester (type 3 according to EN 61643-1) consisting of a base part and plug-in protection module. High discharge capacity due to heavy-duty zinc oxide varistor / spark gap combination.
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908314
DEHNguard MU 3PY 480 3W+G
The multipole DEHNguard MU surge arrester, open-type 1 SPD as per ANSI/UL 1449, consisting of the base part and plug-in protection modules.
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929161
DEHNpatch class EA
Universal, space-saving combined arrester of 19 mm in width and RJ45 connection system with status indication for simple maintenance.
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900076
DEHNcombo YPV 1500
Multipole type 1 and type 2 combined lightning current and surge arrester for DEHNcombo YPV photovoltaic generator circuits of type 1 and type 2, according to EN 61643-31 with three-step DC switching device.
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Sustain solar success – Contact DEHN today
Transient voltage is like the sun – always shining overhead waiting for a chance to give you a nasty burn. You wouldn’t go to the beach all day without applying sunscreen? So why let your solar systems sit unprotected?
Get in touch with DEHN and experience our unmatched expertise in solar power system protection. As a leading international engineering firm, we have proven solutions to combat transient voltage threats and minimize the negative side effects within your electrical components.
Contact us today to start your tailored solar risk assessment.
Request your risk assessment