[RE-wrenches] Designing PV systems for lightning prone areas

[Dave Click]

To add to Ray's comments, it's a good idea to minimize the area of your 
source circuits' wiring loops as well, to minimize voltage jumps from 
nearby strikes (of course, direct strikes blast a hole in the roof, so 
no suppression can really help you there). I have a DC arrestor from 
surgesuppression.com (made here in Florida) on my house's array. Nothing 
on the AC side yet but I'm planning to add it eventually.

I second Ray's recommendation that you work with a lighting protection 
specialist.

On 2011/9/9 16:00, Ray Walters wrote:
> Low impedance grounding is the most important. We have a ground
> impedance tester, and anything less is just guess work.
> Uffer grounds (tied to exposed rebar in the footing) are usually lower
> impedance than rods, also a steel cased well can be an excellent ground,
> since it is essentially a metal conductor going down to the water table.
> You might also consider lightning diffusers on high points along the
> peak of the roof a couple of feet higher than the array.
> Consider working with a lightning protection specialist.
> For arrestors/ suppressors stay away from the Deltas (not very effective
> from my experience) but take a look at Midnite Solar's new line of
> lightning protection equipment.
>
> Ray Walters
> Solarray, Inc.
>
> On 9/9/2011 12:32 PM, James Rudolph wrote:
>>
>> Dear Wrenches,
>>
>> Does anybody have any best practices for designing large PV arrays on
>> metal building in lightning prone areas? Lightning arrestors on the DC
>> side and Surge suppressors on the AC load side? Any input or resources
>> would be greatly appreciated.
>>
>> Sunny Regards,
>>
>> James Rudolph
>> NABCEP Certified Installer
>> Master Electrician
>> SF Energy
>>
>>
>>
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