Review of Potential Rise across Solar PV-panel assemblies during Lightning Strike

This paper investigates voltage distribution across solar photovoltaic (PV) panel assemblies subjected to lightning strikes. It focuses on different PV system designs (topologies) and considers the effect of soil resistivities, since soil properties can significantly influence how lightning current travels and dissipates. To study this, the researchers used a “lossy transmission line” model to represent the electrical behaviour of a solar PV cell during a lightning strike. A simulated lightning impulse current was applied to the model, and the resulting voltages at various points in the PV assembly were measured. Finally, the study compares the voltage distribution changes under different grounding strategies, providing insights into how PV systems can be better protected from lightning damage.