volume | PIER Journals

Abstract

To address the quantification challenges of transient responses in direct lightning strike protection design for photovoltaic (PV) power generation systems, this study establishes an integrated coupled model using CDEGS simulation software, incorporating horizontally layered soil, PV mounting structures, and grounding systems. A comprehensive consideration of key factors, including lightning current waveforms, soil resistivity, and the number of down conductors and vertical grounding electrodes, enables quantitative analysis of transient overvoltage and transient ground potential rise (TGPR) distribution characteristics under varying operating conditions. The results demonstrate that both soil resistivity and lightning current waveforms are critical factors influencing the transient lightning-induced characteristics of PV systems. In typical low-resistivity (ρ = 200 Ω.m) and high-resistivity (ρ = 2000 Ω.m) soil environments, increasing the number of grounding down conductors and vertical grounding electrodes can both reduce induced overvoltage and transient ground potential rise. However, beyond a certain threshold, shielding effects between adjacent grounding bodies limit current dissipation efficiency, leading to diminishing returns. Therefore, PV system lightning protection design must holistically account for soil properties, lightning current parameters, and optimized layout strategies to mitigate transient amplitudes, achieving an optimal balance between lightning protection effectiveness and economic efficiency.

1. Fang, R. C., J. Yang, K. Zhou, et al. "An optimal planning method for park IES considering life cycle carbon cost," Electric Power, Vol. 55, No. 12, 135-146, 2022. Google Scholar

2. Zhao, Xin-Gang, Wei Wang, and Ling Wu, "A dynamic analysis of research and development incentive on China's photovoltaic industry based on system dynamics model," Energy, Vol. 233, 121141, 2021. Google Scholar

3. Ogbonnaya, C., A. Turan, and C. Abeykoon, "Novel thermodynamic efficiency indices for choosing an optimal location for large-scale photovoltaic power generation," Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 249, 119405, 2020. Google Scholar

4. Apolinskiy, Matvey I., Vladimir Ya. Frolov, Alexander D. Sivaev, and Evgeniy Y. Enkin, "Analysis of the arc quenching system of an arrester operation based on a flow ultrasound generator," Energies, Vol. 17, No. 19, 4975, 2024. Google Scholar

5. Formisano, Alessandro, Carlo Petrarca, Jesus C. Hernández, and Francisco Jose Muñoz-Rodríguez, "Assessment of induced voltages in common and differential-mode for a PV module due to nearby lightning strikes," IET Renewable Power Generation, Vol. 13, No. 8, 1369-1378, June 2019. Google Scholar

6. Liu, L. G. and C. L. Ma, "A DC bias current reducing method considering grounding electrode location and receiving-end grid structure," Electric Power, Vol. 54, No. 7, 100-108, 2021. Google Scholar

7. Dong, Xuzhu, Zhuhu Hua, Lei Shang, Bo Wang, Likun Chen, Qiuping Zhang, et al. "Morphological characteristics and technology prospect of new distribution system," High Voltage Engineering, Vol. 47, No. 09, 3021-3035, 2021. Google Scholar

8. Ogbonnaya, C., A. Turan, and C. Abeykoon, "Novel thermodynamic efficiency indices for choosing an optimal location for large-scale photovoltaic power generation," Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 249, 119405, 2020. Google Scholar

9. Pei, Z. Y., Z. F. Liang, W. H. Lu, et al. "Wide-area distributed photovoltaic power generation monitoring and output estimation," Electric Power, Vol. 53, No. 6, 87-96, 2020. Google Scholar

10. Xia, Zilong, Yingjie Li, Ruishan Chen, Dhritiraj Sengupta, Xiaona Guo, Bo Xiong, and Yilong Niu, "Mapping the rapid development of photovoltaic power stations in northwestern China using remote sensing," Energy Reports, Vol. 8, 4117-4127, 2022. Google Scholar

11. Zhong, Xiao, Qiuqin Sun, Jiahao Zhang, Lei Yang, Jianlan Yang, Tangsheng Yang, and Lei Fang, "A novel transient model of photovoltaic module considering electromagnetic coupling," IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, Vol. 13, No. 1, 122-132, 2022. Google Scholar

12. Sabiha, Nehmdoh A., Mohammad Alsharef, Mohamed K. Metwaly, Ehab E. Elattar, Ibrahim B. M. Taha, and Amr M. Abd-Elhady, "Sustaining electrification service from photovoltaic power plants during backflow lightning overvoltages," Electric Power Systems Research, Vol. 186, 106386, 2020. Google Scholar

13. Zhang, Yang, Hongcai Chen, and Yaping Du, "Considerations of photovoltaic system structure design for effective lightning protection," IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility, Vol. 62, No. 4, 1333-1341, 2020. Google Scholar

14. Zhang, Yang, Binghao Li, Yaping Du, Yuxuan Ding, JinXin Cao, and Jiahua Lv, "Effective grounding of the photovoltaic power plant protected by lightning rods," IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility, Vol. 63, No. 4, 1128-1136, 2021. Google Scholar

15. Young, J. C., K. K. Ho, and J. L. Yun, "Influence of lightning surge on photovoltaics considering LPZ protection level and IEC-60364 grounding system," The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers, Vol. 68, No. 11, 1288-1291, 2019. Google Scholar

16. Wang, Yaowu, Xiaoqing Zhang, and Shiqi Tao, "Modeling of lightning transients in photovoltaic bracket systems," IEEE Access, Vol. 7, 12262-12271, 2019. Google Scholar

17. Wang, Yaowu, Xiaoqing Zhang, and Shiqi Tao, "Numerical method for lightning transient analysis of photovoltaic bracket systems," Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, Vol. 12, No. 3, 033501, 2020. Google Scholar

18. Naxakis, I., E. Pyrgioti, V. Perraki, and E. Tselepis, "Studying the effect of the impulse voltage application on sc-Si PV modules," Solar Energy, Vol. 144, 721-728, 2017. Google Scholar

19. Hu, D. F., H. S. You, and X. L. Hao, "Lightning protection for Tianjin National Convention & Exhibition Center," Building Science, Vol. 36, No. 9, 86-91, 2020. Google Scholar

20. IEC 62305-1, , Protection against lightning --- Part 1: General principles, International Standard, International Electrotechnical Commission, 2010.

Professor Wen Cao

Dr. Xiaojun Tang

Dr. Yicheng Fan

Professor Wei Shen

Dr. Bobo Chen

Dr. Jiarui Zhang