Initial situation
The GENERG group runs a solar power installation in Ferreira do Alentejo, Portugal. The facility uses 35,000 solar panels to produce green energy. But there are also a number of risks with an installation this big. Atmospheric discharges during thunder storms can result in surge voltages that can significantly hurt the installation output. In order to prevent such surges, a self-contained lightning protection strategy was required, that would protect all of the electronics and electrical components.
Solution
As requested by CME, the installer of the facility in Ferreira, Weidmüller built special string boxes which were capable of connecting four or five modules with each other. Integrated PU II surge protection modules have been customised for photovoltaic applications and ensure that the inverter has adequate protection.
