Lightning Strikes & How To Protect Solar Arrays?
Are you wondering if solar panels attract lightning strikes? Let me answer the question immediately.
Neither solar panels nor the metal racking of the panels attracts lightning. Many people assume having electrical equipment installed on the rooftop makes their houses perfect targets for strikes. But there is no evidence that can support this assumption.
Neither the metal components of a solar power system nor a metal roof have anything to do with lightning.
The dynamics behind lightning are highly complicated and involve factors like thunderclouds, electric fields, and air currents. The lightning will hit what it wants to, and this can happen at any time.
However, your solar panels or property are not immune to lightning strikes. The energy of a strike can disrupt and even destroy your solar installation if the conditions are right for it.
That said, as long as you have your system installed correctly on mounts designed for high winds, you shouldn't be concerned about lightning strikes.
We'll go over what you can do as a homeowner to reduce the chances of being affected by lightning strikes. But first, let's take a look at how lighting works from a scientific standpoint.
What is a lightning strike, and when does it happen?
A lightning strike is a sudden electrostatic discharge between an electrical cloud and the ground. This occurs when there is enough voltage for electrons to accumulate in clouds while they are in contact with or near the earth's surface.
Lightning can damage our homes, cars, electronic devices, and more. Lightning strikes are most likely during storm season (spring/summer), but they can happen year-round nonetheless.
What does attract a lightning strike?
Lightning can strike anywhere, but there are things that make your property more likely to get hit.
Location Matters
Location is the first thing that determines the likelihood of a lightning strike. There are published lightning maps that show the likelihood of lightning strikes in different regions.
These maps are usually based on how many thunderstorms occur in a certain area and what type of terrain is present there like mountains with tall trees or flat plains that might dissipate lightning strikes before they hit anything else.
The second thing to consider is where your home's solar panels will be installed relative to those locations you'll likely have a higher chance of being struck by lightning.
Do metal components attract lightning?
Lightning can strike any object including mountains, oceans, trees, and buildings. Metal components are not more or less prone to attract lightning strikes.
You may be thinking at this point, then why lightning rods are made of metal.
Lightning rods are metal in order to offer a preferential path to a strike. They are designed to discharge electric current to the ground with a safer path you choose protecting your structure from damage.
Lightning rods use their height advantage (they're taller than other parts of your roof) in order to be the first thing that a lightning strike to meet if it lands on your rooftop.
Does electricity in solar equipment attract lightning?
No, electricity in solar equipment doesn't attract lightning. Lightning occurs when there is turbulence in the atmosphere that builds static electrical charge. Lightning can strike the ground, a building, or anything else that has an electrical charge.
Electrical current from solar panels (which is direct current) doesn't have an atmospheric presence and therefore won't attract lightning.
How to protect your home from lightning strikes?
Install surge protectors
Surge protectors prevent surges from damaging your installation by blocking or diverting them. They are installed on both sides of the inverter power circuit and on any inverter communication cables, which aids in preventing damage from lightning strikes.
The most important surge protector, in our opinion, is the one on the ethernet communications cables. Look for installing surge protection on all ethernet cables at the minimum.
A surge protector can be installed on any device that plugs into a wall outlet and has exposed metal parts (such as an electric kettle).
It will block voltage spikes from entering through the power cord by diverting them away from the connected electronics until it's able to dissipate their energy safely.
This prevents damage or malfunctions of equipment plugged in at the time of the strike.
Install lightning rods
Lightning rods protect the building, equipment, and occupants from the effects of lightning. They create a low-resistance path to the ground, making a direct hit less likely to damage your installation.
If you're going to install one of these devices on your roof, make sure it will not shade on your solar panels since it can reduce their efficiency.
Lightning rods are attached to a building or tower and will typically have cables coming down from the rod that attaches to grounding electrodes, for example on your roof or in the ground outside of your installation site, via buried copper pipes.
These continuous surfaces make it easier for lightning currents to flow out onto the earth rather than through buildings and people.
It is recommended for you to check your local zoning laws since many communities have restrictions on which equipment you can install on your roof.
Maintain your house
Keep trees trimmed back away from rooflines near where panels are installed on top of roofs or in close proximity since branches could break off during high winds or storms and hit surfaces with an electric current running through them, causing a fire hazard.
Make sure all of your electrical appliances are properly grounded and have a qualified professional inspect them at least once per year.
Clear away any debris that could catch on fire, such as leaves or branches when they're dry. Remember, the more precautions you take, the safer your solar panels will be during a strike if that happens.
Check your insurance
There is no measure of protection that can guarantee lightning protection. Therefore, before your installing a solar panel system check your home insurance policy to see if it covers lightning strikes.
It will vary from company to company, and depending on the plan. So it is worth having a conversation with your insurance broker.
If your policy covers lightning strikes, you may want to consider a separate rider that will cover the cost of your solar panel installation in the event it is damaged or destroyed by a strike.
This can be inexpensive and only pays out if there is an incident, but for some people peace of mind about their investment outweighs the price.
Otherwise, your homeowner's insurance may/ may not cover damages from weather-related incidents.
Get help for installation
A homeowner can install a solar panel system but should use caution and have an experienced professional assist them. It is recommended to hire a company that specializes in this type of work.
If your utility offers solar installations then it would be a great idea to go with them because they will have specific experience in this type of work.
What to do if your home gets hit by a lightning strike?
If you suspect your house was struck by lightning, contact your utility company immediately for assistance. You may find that some electrical devices still work, but using electric devices after lighting can very be risky.
If you know where your main electrical panel is, turn off the circuit breaker. Do not touch any part of the system and don't operate it until inspected by a professional who can determine whether repairs will be necessary.
It's best to stay outside of your home until you have an electrician inspect your home and equipment for potential risks.
The conclusion
All in all, lightning is a risk for homeowners but installing solar panels won't change that.
Provided you have taken preventative measures we have covered, implemented good housekeeping practices, and your equipment is inspected and maintained, you are doing all that can be done.
