IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery · 2008 · 85 citations · 8 references
EngineeringPower Electronic SystemsPhotovoltaic SystemPower ElectronicsPhotovoltaicsReliability EngineeringSystems EngineeringSurge ProtectionRenewable Energy SystemsProtection ApproachPower SystemsPower Electronic DevicesElectrical EngineeringSurge Withstand CapabilitySolar PowerPower System ProtectionSmart GridPower System ReliabilityRooftop PhotovoltaicsElectric Power Distribution
<para xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> The aim of this paper is to give scientific background and essential assumptions to be introduced into the design of lightning and surge protection in photovoltaic installations (PVIs), with particular emphasis on the aspects of standardization to be covered. For this purpose, the relevant protective measures given in the standards for conventional low-voltage power distribution systems (CLVPDSs) are adapted in part. This revision is required because the peculiar characteristics of PVIs are different from those of CLVPDSs. The resulting protection approach that determines the advisable protective measures by a risk management has been applied to an actual grid-connected PVI (GCPVI), Univer Project. The extra cost of this protection in this PVI (approximately 3.6% of the system cost) is of secondary importance because of the increase of safety and availability. Furthermore, in order to fulfill with this protection, the surge withstand capability (SWC) of PV modules has been investigated as well. </para>
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