The Inner Workings Of PV Surge Protection

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Photovoltaic surge protection is a specialized system of surge protection devices that are installed within operational setups geared towards the production of energy using solar technology. These devices and systems function to block power surges from traveling from the exposed solar panels to the control equipment, which is connected to those panels through a variety of cables and wires. The connections are necessary in order to fully optimize the production of power using these means, as well as allowing the electricity which is generated to travel unimpeded as much as possible to the points where it can be stored. The issue arises when lightning strikes those exposed solar panels, which is a common occurrence in the field. Even though the system itself is designed to generate electricity and allow it to travel along specific pathways, this electricity must be maintained within a specific range or it will damage the circuitry of the components involved in that production. In order to maintain the functionality of the system, as well as to minimize the expenditures of the business regarding repair and replacement of that equipment, preventative measures must be taken to assure that the electrical flow is kept within range. This is the job of the photovoltaic surge protection systems installed within these setups, to read the level of electrical flow constantly, and if it exceeds a certain level to create a blocking mechanism that will prevent if from flowing past the device. This process protects the equipment installed downstream, essentially conserving budget that would be allocated to repairs as well as minimizing repair time in order to maintain longer uptimes. The sheer volume of time that photovoltaic systems are online contribute to the effectiveness of the production method, because the fuel source of sunlight is free. When systems go offline while the sun is shining, critical minutes are lost when power would be being produced for no extra costs. This is why photovoltaic surge protection is so critical, it not only conserves operating budget but also produces more power for public consumption.

 

As photovoltaic systems become more advanced, we are finding that they are able to generate more power in a 24 hour period than ever before. This is because they are able to stay online for longer periods while the sun is shining, ultimately producing more power during that time frame. This power is able to be sold for lower prices because of these excesses as well as the costs of production being driven lower every year as equipment life spans are increased. What we see is that solar production methods are far from their potential, and have room to improve over and above the levels of production and costs that are currently seen. Every day more improvements to the systems are made, making solar power production the most promising method for the future. We will see less damage to the environment to create power that costs us less than ever before, and that is good for everyone.