[RE-wrenches] Diode Failure

[Solarguy]

We experienced the failure of around half of the 8 modules diodes [with clear backsheets] embedded in a SIP roof as skylights. None of the other 96 tracker mounted modules ~50-100 yards away were affected by a direct strike on the building and a nearby steel well casing. Several diodes were completely vaporized, only ashes & grit in the circa 2008 J box. Spire sent replacement diodes and the system is still working today.

The lightning also destroyed 5 inverters and 2 SIs inside the same building.

 

Jim Duncan

North Texas Renewable Energy Inc

 <http://www.ntrei.com/> www.ntrei.com 

NABCEP PV 031310-57

TECL-27398

 <mailto:ntrei at 1scom.net> ntrei at 1scom.net 

817.917.0527

 

 

 

 

 

 

From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Corey Shalanski
Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2014 9:03 AM
To: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Diode Failure

 

Wrenches,

 

We recently were contacted by a customer who reported a lightning strike close to his house. His online monitoring revealed that 30 of 35 microinverters simultaneously stopped producing power. On initial visit to the jobsite we measured Voc on many modules - either 12V or 24V instead of rated 36V. On a second visit we discovered that bypass diodes - either 1 or 2 corresponding to observed voltage loss - had failed on each of the faulty modules.

 

My question is: Can anyone support the theory that a nearby lightning flash can cause mass bypass diode failure?

 

--

Corey Shalanski

Joule Energy

New Orleans, LA

  <https://mailfoogae.appspot.com/t?sender=aY3NoYWxhbnNraUBqb3VsZS1lbmVyZ3kuY29t&type=zerocontent&guid=e8f1bdf1-384f-4952-a79b-87bd13d91385> ᐧ

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