Why Surge Protection For PV Is Critical

Read More: Raycap-Solar-Brochure-G02-01-149.pdf

 

The understanding that we can not use fossil fuels forever in order to create electricity for our homes is common, and even those unfamiliar with the dwindling levels of fossil fuels will generally understand after only a few moments explanation. Simply put, the earth has a limited supply of fossil fuels to burn in order to make electricity, and sooner or later we will run out. Because of the understanding that the estimates of fossil fuel consumption place us in a precarious situation within only a few decades, the obvious conclusion is that we need to figure out alternative methods of creating power. Unfortunately, those with a vested interest in the fossil fuel forms of production are powerful, and would rather see their methods be the only game in town. As long as they can stagnate the progression of technology through the use of political avenues and misinformation, they can limit the support of development money flowing to the channels necessary to move the green technology forward. They can literally keep their own methods profitable by limiting the technological progress of the alternatives. Luckily, this can only go on so long before the natural progression of technological advancement takes hold, fueled mostly by the private market that cannot be manipulated by the interests. One of the most poignant developments to happen over the last few decades within the space is the integration of advanced surge protection devices into the systems that generate green energy. Through this integration, one of the avenues that has historically cost money is controlled, ultimately bringing down the production costs to around the levels of fossil fuels, These advancements also make the plants more able to produce at a higher capacity, using the same amounts of sunlight. As long as green energy production plants remain online, the fuel source that is available for free for half of each day is not squandered.

 

How this all transpires is hinged on the fact that the solar power plant must position solar panels within the danger zone in order to work appropriately. Solar panels must be remotely located and not surrounded by taller structures, so as not to interfere with sunlight collection. This makes them the path of least resistance to the earth for lightning strikes, creating a situation that damages several components critical to the process. The panels are damaged by explosion and fire at the strike point, and the subsequent power surge travels along the connections from that panel to the control equipment. This overwhelms that equipment at the circuit level, and takes it offline until repair or replacement can happen. This tragic situation limits capacities as well as costing repair budgets, making the totals that are seen as far as production costs go higher than the rival fossil fuels. Through the integration of surge protection along the routes that excess power can flow, these losses can be minimized and a more satisfying amount of power can be produced each day that the sun is shining. This is how the future of solar power will play out, and eventually take the lead.