The recommended approach is to use a separate DC grounding electrode for PV arrays and frames, as this enhances protection against lightning and transient voltage.
NFPA 855, the Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems, is a critical guideline that addresses the safety measures needed for energy storage systems, including those integrated with solar power.
For standard PV power stations, grounding resistance should be below 4 ohms; for large-scale PV power stations or areas with frequent lightning, it should be below 1 ohm.
Core requirements include rack separation limits, a Hazard Mitigation Analysis to prevent thermal-runaway cascades, early-acting fire suppression and gas detection, stored-energy caps for occupied buildings, and detailed safety documentation (UL).
To protect solar inverters from lightning damage, install appropriate Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) 1 on both AC and DC sides of the system. Select SPDs with voltage ratings matching your system's maximum voltage, and ensure they're properly grounded.
In this paper, the performance of a lightning protection system (LPS) on a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) park is studied by simulating different scenarios with the use of an appropriate software tool.
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