Any photovoltaic system that is directly exposed to electrical surges either due to lightening strike, grid fluctuation or switching operations need to be equipped with protection device for voltage surges. Operating voltages in the PV systems are as high as 1500V for commercial installations, so one surge can lead to comprehensive damages to the critical components especially the inverter, which costs several thousands of dollar. The SPD diverts the excess voltage to the ground before it reaches the sensitive equipment, thus saving expensive repairs while offering a longer useful life span of the system.
According to the NREL, in those areas where thunderstorms happen very frequently, lightning-induced surges account for over 20% of PV system failures. An SPD for PV reduces those risks by as much as 80%. The reason is that this protection device responds within nanoseconds to catch spikes that suddenly appear. It has to be fast to protect high-voltage components and ensure continuous energy production. With an SPD, productivity interruptions in large solar farms-meaning significant energy losses-are minimized, thus protecting the financial viability of the installation.
This SPD also provides surge protection caused by the grid in regions with unstable grids during switching operations or when there is a fluctuation in voltages. Most of the commercial PV systems, which have ratings between 1000V and 1500V, are quite critical, and any sort of damage would disrupt operations. These surges are shunted away from the inverter-the key component in the conversion process of DC energy into AC energy usable in a system effectively.
Besides protecting very expensive equipment, a PV surge protection device would also be in line with international electric standards, such as IEC 61643-31, that provide specifications for low-voltage surge protective devices. Meeting such standards contributes not only to system safety but also to legal and insurance requirements, diminishing one’s liability in case surge damage occurs.
Preventive actions include investing in a high-quality PV Surge Protection Device, which could be considered cost-effective against unexpected repairs and lost production time. For owners and operators, this SPD ensures operational stability and component longevity. In a word, an SPD is the must-have element of any well-protected solar setup.