DEHN protects Photovoltaic Systems

Reliable power supply thanks to lightning and surge protection

Using the power of the sun Energy needs are steadily rising throughout the world. However, reserves of fossil fuels are on the wane and the oil and gas production is becoming more and more complex. What alternatives are there? Energy reforms lead the way: The future belongs to renewable energies. In the future, wind, water, biomass and of course the sun will ensure that the lights do not go out in industrial plants and private households. In fact, photovoltaics are one of the fastest growing technologies producing green energy. According to the German Solar Industry Association, photovoltaics...

DEHN protects roof-mounted systems and solar parks DEHN is a world-renowned lightning and surge protection expert – also in the field of photovoltaics. We already applied our knowledge of lightning and surge protection when photovoltaic technology was still in its infancy. Thanks to our long-standing experience in the field of photovoltaics, we are able to offer the best products – be it for roof-mounted systems or solar parks. Operators and installers of PV systems can trust that our products always comply with the relevant standards and guidelines. DEHN is thus making a major contribution to...

Surge protection protects your investments Although PV systems are exposed to various external influences, the statistics of insurance companies say that surges are the most frequent cause of damage to PV systems. If the inverter of a PV system is damaged, reinvestment costs may be high. As a consequence, the return on investment is delayed and the break-even point is reached much later. For this reason, smart system operators will choose a protection concept with foresight that is also increasingly required by financial institutions and property insurances. Moreover, long-term profitable installations...

Lightning protection for roof-mounted systems Integrated: Planning of PV systems and lightning protection zone concept Professional planning is indispensable for the safe and reliable operation of PV systems. It must be coordinated with the special requirements of the relevant project and include lightning and surge protection measures right from the planning stage. Installers of PV and lightning protection systems consider the roof area under different aspects. While installers of lightning protection systems want to maintain the separation distance for the lightning protection system, the aim...

Isolated and shade-optimised air-termination systems are the ideal lightning protection system for roof-mounted PV systems. They ensure that the separation distance between the down conductor and the PV system is maintained and prevents the injection of partial lightning currents. Shade-optimised air-termination systems do not cast an umbra on the modules, thus securing the yield. Variable and slim: HVI®Conductors from DEHN An height adjustable isolated air-termination system with an high-voltage-insulated HVI®Conductor from DEHN is an ideal solution for roof-mounted PV systems. Its unique design...

Surge protection for roof-mounted systems Roof-mounted systems with a mounting structure on the roof are most commonly used. Due to their exposed location, roof-mounted systems are particularly prone to direct and indirect lightning strikes. Since the PV system is directly connected to the electrical installation of the building, lightning effects may have serious consequences for the building, devices and persons inside the building. The IEC/EN 62305-2 standard is also used for analysing the risk for roof-mounted systems. The German supplement 5 of the DIN EN 62305-3 standard and the European...

Building without external lightning protection system If no external lightning protection system is installed, Supplement 5 of the DIN 62305-3 standard recommends to install a type 2 surge protective device on the d.c. and a.c. side to protect the PV system and to install surge protective devices for the data communication, if any. DEHNguard® YPV SCI - compact Compact type 2 arrester for the d.c. side surge protection in string inverter systems. Type DG YPV SCI 600 FM Prewired type 2 arrester with IP65 degree of protection for one MPP tracker (1 M) and two MPP trackers (2 M) can be used up to...

a.c. side (power supply) DEHNguard® M Class II / Type 2 arrester Pluggable, modular surge arrester with integrated backup fuse: High reliability due to “Thermo Dynamic Control” monitoring device. Type DG M TNC CI 275 FM DEHNguard® M Class II / Type 2 arrester Pluggable, modular surge arrester: High reliability due to “Thermo Dynamic Control” monitoring device. DEHNventil® M Class I / Type 1 combined arrester Pluggable, modular, lightning current carrying combined arrester with spark gap technology and wave breaker function. Type DEHNshield® Class I / Type 1 combined arrester DEHNventil® ZP Class...

Data interface UNI earthing / saddle clamp Clamps for integrating the mounting systems of PV systems in the functional equipotential bonding / functional earthing or lightning equipotential bonding. Concrete base Combined arrester with actiVsense and LifeCheck® technology for protecting two pairs of balanced interfaces (for example RS485). Base part required. ® Equipotential bonding External lightning protection system Air-termination rod with concrete base Air-termination rod (1.5 m) tapered from ø 16 mm to 10 mm that reduces the formation of umbras and the wind load. Wedge-mounted concrete...

Lightning protection for solar parks Due to the high investment volumes and the high requirements on the availability of solar parks, the risk of damage posed by a lightning strike must be calculated according to IEC/EN 62305-2. The results must be taken into account for planning and are used for due diligence considerations. The German guideline “VDS 2010 – Risk-oriented lightning and surge protection” published by the German Insurance Association requires that equipotential bonding is implemented and surge protection measures are taken. The aim is to protect the power plant from lightning damage...