Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Hi,
Can those of you who have solar panels installed already clarify if any measures have been taken to protect the panels from lightning strikes?
Thanks
The panels are the least likely to suffer damage from a lightning strike. It's the other parts of the system like the batteries and inverter that are at more of a risk. A lightning strike on the ground a few feet away can infiltrate into a home and cause damage.
Be sure that you have everything well grounded. One grounding rod (not lightning rod, they don't really work) is typically not enough.
One can also get surge arrestors, and lightning protectors, which are better than nothing, but nothing is 100% but does cut down on potential damage considerably.
Grounding is most the important thing though.
Although grounding is a standard, other devices or design considerations vary depending on if the system is grid tied or off grid.
If you are grid tied, there are no batteries to consider unless you use the solar panels to charge a backup system.
Any solar power install should be designed to code, no matter how insignificant you think it is.
Always design a system so that equipment is sacrificed prior to the risk to human life.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.