[RE-wrenches] Lightning Strike Fries Array

[jay peltz]

Hi Guys,


The high current can be in the form of higher irradience, not the current
in the lightning. That can destroy the diodes.

you should be able to test on the module side of the diodes to see if there
is voltage on the cell side.
And that will tell you if its worth trying to replace the diodes.

jay





On Thu, May 21, 2015 at 5:38 PM, <toddcory at finestplanet.com> wrote:

> but under a surge like a lightning strike wouldn't the diodes open rather
> than short?
>
>
>
> i always considered the pv's to be the least likely thing to be damaged
> from lightning and inverters and charge controllers (electronics) to be the
> most vulnerable. what in a pv would fail? an intercell connecting wire or
> would it actually damage the cell on a semiconductor level?
>
>
>
> todd
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Thursday, May 21, 2015 4:46pm, "Matt Sherald" <matt at getpimby.com> said:
>
>   Hi Wayne,
>
> Several years back I had all sixteen SolarWorld modules on a tracker get
> zapped.  The two other trackers adjacent to this one had no damaged
> modules.  The same strike blew out the phone box at the end of the road
> (some distance away).
>
> The SolarWorld jboxes were all sealed with no way to get to the diodes.
> The homeowners insurance covered the loss and I replaced the modules with
> something similar (SW had since stopped manufacturing 175s).  It would have
> been nice to have had access to the diodes.
>
>
> --
>  Matt Sherald
> PIMBY Energy, LLC
> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer®
> 304-704-5943
>
> www.getpimby.blogspot.com
> www.getpimby.com
>
> On Thu, May 21, 2015 at 7:28 PM, Wayne Irwin <wayne at pureenergysolar.com>
> wrote:
>
>>  Hello Wrenches,
>>
>> Today we visited a 10KW residential ground mounted system where there was
>> a recent lightning strike that fried phones, irrigation system, cable and
>> apparently the array.
>>
>> There was no external visible damage but also no voltage at the combiner.
>> We pulled 10-15 module junction box covers off and only saw clear evidence
>> of damage to one diode. There was no Voc on any of the modules.
>> While I recognize that Florida is arguably the lightning capital of N
>> America, I have never seen an entire array fried.
>>
>> Has anyone on the list ever seen an entire array fried?
>>
>> The modules are Schuco 230's.
>> Obviously not covered by warranty and Schuco has pretty much bailed out
>> of the US market.
>>
>> Does anyone have experience repairing these modules?
>>
>> Any similar experience and/or advice would be appreciated.
>>
>>
>> Wayne Irwin,
>> Presid
>> ____
>>
>
>
>
>


-- 
Jay Peltz
Peltz Power
jay.peltz at gmail.com
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