1

Modeling and simulations of lightning protection

photovoltaic modules
Ph.D. Konrad Sobolewski Faculty of Electrical Engineering
Warsaw University of Technology
Poland, Warsaw
[email protected]
M.Sc. Emilia Sobieska Faculty of Electrical Engineering
Warsaw University of Technology
Poland, Warsaw
[email protected]

Abstract—This article describe procedure of modeling and its safe dissipation inside them protects photovoltaic modules
simulations of lightning protection photovoltaic modules. To do and installations against damage or fire. Therefore no electrical
this task has been chosen Ansys Electronic Desktop environment. risk will be transferred to the building, its equipment and
At the beginning in article is present idea of investigations electric
and magnetic field distribution between lightning protection residents.
system and PV modules. Then two modeling configurations are Lightning protection of photovoltaic modules mainly re-
proposed: one with PV modules separated to LPS and the other lies on protection from direct lightning strikes and induced
with PV modules connected to LPS. The last configuration having overvoltages. In the case of an object that is equipped with
a connection between photovoltaic system and LPS is practically a lightning protection system (LPS), photovoltaic modules
used in case when the lightning separation distance cannot be
achieved. Next are present results of simulations for various should be located inside a protection zone [1] with an ade-
distances in each configuration. Finally conclusions based on quate separation distance preventing electrical sparks between
obtained results are present. elements of the LPS and conducted parts of the photovoltaic
Index Terms—lightning protection, simulations, modeling, pho- construction. In the case of an object without lightning
tovoltaic installations, separation distance, ansys protection, PV modules and supporting structure should be
grounded. Photovoltaic systems must be also protected against
overvoltages regardless of whether the object is covered by
I. I NTRODUCTION
external lightning protection system or not.
Photovoltaic installations belongs to renewable energy It is worth mentioning that in Poland photovoltaic in-
sources converts solar energy into electricity. This conversion stallations within the meaning of law are included as the
takes place with minimal influence on the natural environment, buildings constituting technical and functional whole together
hence it is a method very desirable at the present time. There with installations and devices, therefore are subject to the
is a growing interest in the use of photovoltaic systems due to provisions on construction works. In addition, the regulation
the reduction of investment costs and increasing the efficiency for buildings requires the use of surge protection devices
of such installations. in electrical installations (§183.1.10), as well as a lightning
The large surface area of photovoltaic installations, low protection installation (§53.2).
voltage electrical networks and shock resistance of systems
components lead to an increased risk of damage by lightning III. S EPARATION DISTANCE
current. It can be caused both by the direct flow of lightning The separation distance is the distance between lightning
current through system components and by the effects of rod or down-conductor and the structural metal parts, metal
surges induced inside installations as a result of lightning installations and internal systems can be achieved by providing
discharges near the system. It is necessary to protect this type a separation distance s between these parts [1]. The normative
of devices against lightning damage and the best solution is to equation for calculating the distance s is as follows:
make it in accordance with the PN-EN 62305-1...4 standard.
ki
s= · kc · l (1)
km
II. G ENERAL RULES OF LIGHTNING PROTECTION
PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES
where ki - factor depends on lightning protection level, km -
factor depends on insulation material, kc - factor depends on
Photovoltaic systems are often the highest point of the roof, lightning current distribution, l - length in meters of lightning
having the best chance of a direct strike from lightning. Direct- protection conductor to nearest equipotential connection.
ing the place of hit, effective lead of current to the ground and Installation of photovoltaic modules on the roof of build-
ing equipped with a lightning protection system should be
978-1-7281-9617-6/20/$31.00 ©2020 IEEE

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preceded by the calculation of minimum separation distance This model has been supplemented with a ground in order to
between elements of this installation and conductive elements make the current distribution in the installation and outside it
attached to it [2]. more realistic.

Fig. 3. Model of the lightning protection installation of the analyzed object.

To obtain the magnetic field distribution, a simulation of

Fig. 1. Lightning protection concept for a PV power supply system on I=40 [kA] lightning current was performed. Current excitation
a building with external lightning protection, the separation distance s is
maintained. [2]
was given at the highest point of the LPS, whereas the place
of lightning current dissipation was ground.
If this distance cannot be achieved, e.g. due to conductive
roofing, then the supporting structure of the PV modules
should be connected directly with a lightning protection sys-
tem. This treatment leads to equalizing electric potentials both
installations in the event of a direct lightning strike, which
prevents dangerous sparks and uncontrolled flow of lightning
current [2].

Fig. 4. Magnetic field strength distribution in a lightning protection installa-

tion model.

The highest value of the magnetic field was visible at the

height of roof ridge, i.e. where the horizontal lightning rod is
located. These values were within 1.59·105 ÷1.70·105 [A/m].
This distribution of the magnetic field results from the given
location of lightning current input. Lightning rod takes over
the discharge into the object, while the grounding system was
designed to dissipate the lightning current in the ground.
The DC conduction model (current flow) in Ansys [?]
Fig. 2. Ligtning protection concept for a PV power supply system on a enables simulation of the distribution of direct current in
building with external lightning protection, the separation distance s is not
maintained. [2] conductive elements (Fig. 5).

IV. A SSUMPTIONS FOR MODELING AND SIMULATIONS

The 3D model was made in the Ansys Electronics Desktop
program [?], used to perform coupled simulations in the field
of mechanics, flows and electromagnetism. A series simula-
tions of various configurations lightning protection model for
a residential building equipped with a photovoltaic installation
were carried out. The goal of this simulations was to obtain a
distribution of the magnetic and electric field around the LPS
elements relative to the parts of assumed PV installation.
Fig. 5. Distribution of potential obtained for simulation in a DC conduction
module.
A. Lightning protection model
The basic model presents an external LPS, which consists Then the currents can be defined by the voltages applied
of a lightning rods, down-conductors and grounding system. to the wires. The voltage value set in the LPS model was

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100 [kV] on the roof ridge and in places of contact between

the observation plane and the lightning protection installation.
In real conditions value of electric potential on the roof can
be higher depends on value of ground resistance. The lowest
voltages in a given observation plane occur at the ground, and
their values reach 0.56 [kV]. The difference between higher
voltage value (excitation) and the lowest value is significant.
In addition, observing the differences in the potential of two
points (i.e. voltage) and referring to the distance between these
points, you can assess the likelihood of electric spark at this
point. Fig. 7. Electric field strength distribution of the lightning protection instal-
lation model with a PV panel, top view with zoom, distance 0.2 m.

B. Configuration with isolated PV panel

The basic model of the lightning protection installation has
been complemented with a PV panel frame to obtain the
distribution of the electric field strength around them. The
photovoltaic installation project has two rows of panels, while
a single photovoltaic module was used in the model. This is
the assumption to determine the appropriate insulation distance
between the PV module and the lightning down-conductor.
Such simplification of geometry affects the acceleration of
calculations and the time to obtain results, and with proper
interpretation does not cause significant errors. The observa- Fig. 8. Electric field strength distribution of the lightning protection instal-
tion plane was set in the plane of assumed PV panel. It has lation model with a PV panel, distance 0.7 m
the dimensions of an real module equal to 0.992 x 1.956 [m].
The following potentials of 0 [V] for the panel and ground
and 100 [kV] for the lightning protection system were also
adopted.

Fig. 9. Electric field strength distribution of the lightning protection instal-

lation model with a PV panel, distance 1.2 m

In the first case highest electric field strengths were within

1.68 · 106 ÷ 1.81 · 106 [V /m], which occur at the corner of
the panel and the right edge, close to the LPS. However, for
Fig. 6. Model of lightning protection installation with a PV panel the last simulation, the intensity of electric field has relatively
small values relative to the distance of 1.2 [m] between instal-
In the obtained results it can be seen that the greatest electric lations, so the probability of a spark is negligible. Although
field intensities occur at the panel edge, especially from the the maximum values of the electric field strength are higher
side adjacent to the lightning protection system. These values than in the case of two previous simulations, the places where
were within 1.67·105 ÷1.93·105 [V /m]. The assumed distance these values occur are practically invisible. In this case, the
between them was 0.2 [m] in this case. The simulation shows values within the range of 9.2 · 104 ÷ 1.53 · 105 [V /m] prevail.
that the distance is insufficient to avoid electrical sparking due The simulations show that the right distance between the
to too high electric field strength exceeds the electrical strength solar panel and the lightning protection installation is impor-
of the air between the lightning protection installation and the tant. The values of the electric field strength decrease with
PV panel. increasing distance of the PV panel from the lightning strike
Two additional simulations were performed to verify the point, therefore the appropriate distance between installations
appropriate distance. In the first simulations between installa- is 1.2 [m]. This distance is assumed based on the simulations
tions distance was greater by 0.5 [m] than the basic simulation, carried out above, and therefore is not the basis for use as
while the second in turn by 1 [m]. a standard. Due to the limited dimensions of the roof of a

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residential building, a distance of 0.7 [m] should be assumed it can be seen that the equalizing wires have a large impact
as also enough to withstand electric field strength. on the distribution of electric field strength. The differences
The separation distance can also be verified analytically in the values of electric field strengths between the edge of
using a formula (1). The separation distance according to the PV panel and the parallel down-conductor of the lightning
calculations is equal to sc = 0.62[m]. When comparing protection system are very visible in both cases. The difference
the value adopted on the basis of the simulation, that is in the lower part of the observation plane is about 1.93 · 105 −
sc = 0.7[m], the difference 0.08[m] is not significant. 1.09 · 105 = 0.84 · 105 [V ] = 84[kV ].

C. Configuration with connected PV panel

The lightning protection installation model were connected
together with the photovoltaic module by means of equipoten-
tial bonding connections. The distances of the PV module from
the lightning protection installation were the same as in the
previous configuration. This type connection is recommended
solution if the separation distance cannot be maintained. Ex-
citation and the electric field observation plane also remained
unchanged to previous model configuration.
Fig. 12. Comparison of the electric field strength distribution of the lightning
protection installation model with an insulated PV panel (left) with the
lightning protection installation model with a connected photovoltaic panel
(right), distance 0.2 [m].

VI. C ONCLUSIONS
The installation of equipotential conductors caused a de-
crease in the value of the electric field strength, thus protecting
external installations (modules) against uncontrolled electrical
spark from the lightning protection system. However, this
solution is associated with the possible flow of lightning
current through the panel support structure, hence its material
Fig. 10. Model of lightning protection installation connected to the PV panel parameters should be selected so that it does not get damaged
by means of equipotential bonding.
or deformed.
Obtained results as electric field distribution are presented The highest values of electric field strength exist in both
on fig. 11. configurations, but in second one point their existence is
moved to left corner of panel, where is no close conducted
objects (in this assumptions). If this object exists it should be
also connected to panel construction or assure safe separation
distance.
The calculated s = 0.62[m] and simulated safe separation
distance of s = 0.7[m] is the correct value for this geometric
configuration.
It can be observed from the simulation that the shape of the
PV panel and its perfectly sharp edges affect the local increase
of the electric field strength. For further analysis it should be
rounded to reduce this effect, but it can increase complexity
of mesh and calculation time.
Fig. 11. Distribution of the electric field strength of the lightning protection
system model connected to the PV panel by means of equalization cables, R EFERENCES
distance 0.2 m.
[1] PN-EN 62305-3 Protection against lightning - Part 3: Physical damage
to structures and life hazard.
The highest electric field strengths are visible in the corner [2] IEC TR 63227 ED1 Lightning and surge voltage protection for photo-
of the PV panel, within 2.12 · 105 ÷ 2.27 · 105 [V /m]. These voltaic (PV) power supply systems.
are insignificant areas where such values can be observed. [3] Yang Zhang, Hongcai Chen, Yaping Du, Lightning protection design of
solar photovoltaic systems: Methodology and guidelines, Electric Power
Definitely the ones containing values from the middle of the Systems Research, Vol. 174, 09.2019
electric field intensity scale, namely 5.1·104 ÷1.68·105 [V /m]. [4] Youping Tu, Chunxia Zhang, Jun Hu, Shunchao Wang, Wei Sun,
Hongjun Li, Research on lightning overvoltages of solar arrays in a
V. C OMPARISON OF RESULTS rooftop photovoltaic power system, Electric Power System Research,
Vol. 94, 01.2013
Comparing the results with the simulation of a lightning [5] C. A. Christodoulou, L. Ekonomou, I. F. Gonos, N. P. Papanikolaou,
protection installation with an insulated photovoltaic module, Lightning protection of PV systems, Energy Systems vol. 7, 23.12.2015

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