Does a solar system attract lightning? Here’s the answer

A lightning strike in a building can not only cause a fire, but can also cause surges and thus serious damage to electrical equipment in and around the house. This can upset one or the other owner of a photovoltaic (PV) system. After all, the sensitive modules are on the roof and are therefore particularly predisposed to a lightning strike. Or?

According to the experts of the German Association of Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies (VDE), a PV system no longer attracts lightning unless it protrudes particularly far over the building or roof. This means it cannot be a special attack point that could compete with the lightning rod.

Yes. According to the VDE, if lightning strikes the modules directly or in the immediate vicinity of the PV system, this can lead to overvoltage and voltage peaks. These can damage the electronics of the devices.

The association distinguishes three types and thus consequential damage of the lightning strike:

It is therefore important to take surge protection measures. The installation of a lightning rod can also be useful (more on this in this article).

DIN VDE 0100-443 and DIN VDE 0100-543 regulate what the surge protection measures can look like. All electrical lines leading to the building are considered – this includes not only power lines, but also telephone, internet and broadband cables.

(t-online/dsc)