Lightning strikes, stray currents, and electrical fluctuations are unseen threats that can cause devastating damage to your solar energy system and capital as well as put your safety at risk. Is there a solution to protect your solar panels? Yes, it is called earthing. Earthing is a safety measure that is followed during the installation of your solar panel. All you ever need to know about earthing solar panels is here, including its process, installation, and advantages of doing it.
What is Earthing and Why Do We Need It?
When some parts of your solar system equipment are connected to the ground – a zero electric potential – in line with the wiring, this will afford protection for any human and prevent damage to your solar panel. This is known as earthing or grounding.
Why is it needed?
Stray charges are normal in a solar plant. They could come about in many ways from a lightning strike, exposed wiring, harsh climatic conditions, or voltage fluctuations. For example, a low-quality insulation material might start to shift away from its original busbar route and instead flow through the panel frame due to various parameters such as humidity and heat. There are places where it can do serious harm to people and develop potential problems, such as Potential Induced Degradation (PID) in solar panel modules. Nevertheless, through solar cell earthing, this unwanted electrical current can be safely deposited into the ground at zero electric potential.
Components of Earthing
Earth cables and robs are the crucial components in solar panel earthing. These components provide low-resistance paths for electric charges to follow. The direction and amount of flow under electric current can be maintained at least partially predictable for some time to remove any possibility that accidentally produced currents are not drawn off before they accumulate into a potential hazard. Other necessities include:
- Security of PV systems: The security of a PV system depends naturally on its earthing. Potential electric charges are effectively removed from solar panels and equipment, and people on or near them are safe.
- Avoidance of lightning strikes: Since solar panels are placed on the top of roofs or in open spaces, they are prone to the risk of being struck by lightning. However, an efficient earthing design can serve as a guard to block lighting-induced currents, thus preventing such damage.
Crucial Role of Earth Cables
Earth cables play two crucial roles. One is that they provide a direct path for electric charges to pass along. These cables stop the build-up of dangerous voltages in PV systems, which could prove fatal. Another role is that connecting the solar panel with its earthing system via the earth cables, it ensures safety while still maintaining electrical integrity for the entire system.
Elements of an Effective Earthing System
The three essential components in earthing for solar panels are earthing pits & rods, ground resistance, as well as the solar panel integration.
- The design and location of earthing pits and rods are aimed at facilitating the rapid distribution of electric charges and increasing system conductivity.
- The ground resistance measures the electricity flow into the ground.
- Solar panel integration must be coordinated and consistent so that each solar panel is connected safely and smoothly to the ground.
Benefits of Earthing Solar Panels
The well-laid-out earthing design is the key to ensure soil resistivity, earth rod placement, and earthing pit distribution for maximum results. Therefore, you need to make regular checks on earth cables, rods and pits, so that they are not destroyed or corrupted in any way. Earthing solar panels will avoid damage or corrosion due to lightning or unexpected events/climatic conditions. Electricity surges would also be less harmful to your solar equipment. Additionally, it also arrests degradation and enhances the lifespan of the entire PV system.
Challenges in Earthing Solar Panels
Corrosion is a core problem for earthing solar panels because all the components and parts work together. Nevertheless, necessary measures can be taken to improve long-range performance, such as using corrosion-resistant materials. The last but also crucial challenge is no adaption to soil conditions. Given that soil resistivity varies across different locations, designing earthing designs suitable for local soils will ensure the successful performance of an installation. As solar installations become more common, earthing will remain a focus and key element to guarantee the safe and efficient operation of photovoltaic systems in case of damage.
