Rooftop Solar PV – Photovoltaics on the Rooftop
Rooftop Solar PV systems (photovoltaic) have been gaining significant traction worldwide. On the other hand, lightning strikes pose a significant threat to solar PV systems and buildings. Proper lightning protection measures are essential to mitigate these risks and ensure the safety and longevity of the system.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Definition | Rooftop solar PV systems in Malaysia use solar panels installed on building rooftops to convert sunlight into electricity. |
| Components | Solar panels, inverters, mounting structures, electrical accessories, and sometimes batteries or generators. |
| Capacity | Residential systems typically range from 5-20 kW, while commercial systems can reach up to 100 kW. |
| Environmental Impact | Reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution by providing a clean, renewable source of energy. |
| Economic Benefits | Lowers electricity bills, provides energy independence, and can offer financial incentives such as tax credits and feed-in tariffs. |
| Technological Advances | Improvements in solar panel efficiency and reductions in system costs have made rooftop solar more accessible and affordable. |
| Policy Support | Malaysia has introduced various policies and incentives to promote rooftop solar, including the Net Energy Metering (NEM) scheme, which allows consumers to offset their electricity bills with solar energy sales. |
| Installation Factors | Performance can be affected by factors such as roof orientation, slope, shading, and airflow. |
| Future Projections | Expected to continue growing, with projections indicating that by 2030, approximately 100 million households will rely on rooftop solar PV systems. |
| Hybrid Systems | Can be combined with other power components like wind turbines and batteries to create hybrid systems. |
Key Highlights
Rapid Growth in Rooftop Solar PV
The global capacity of rooftop solar installations has seen a remarkable increase. In 2022 alone, 118 GW of new rooftop solar installations were added, equivalent to powering 36 million more homes. This represents a 49% increase from the previous year.
Environmental Impact: Rooftop solar PV systems play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions. They contribute significantly to the global effort to combat climate change by providing a clean and renewable source of energy.
Economic Benefits of Rooftop Solar PV
Households and businesses that install rooftop solar systems can significantly lower their electricity bills. Additionally, innovative business models, such as net billing and surplus feed-in tariffs, make it financially attractive for prosumers (those who both produce and consume electricity).
Policy Support for Rooftop Solar PV
Governments around the world are implementing policies and incentives to promote the adoption of rooftop solar systems. These include subsidies, tax credits, and feed-in tariffs, which help reduce the upfront costs and improve the return on investment for solar installations.
Technological Advancements in Rooftop Solar PV
Advances in solar technology, including improved efficiency and lower costs, have made rooftop solar systems more accessible and affordable. This has encouraged more households and businesses to adopt solar energy solutions.
Future Projections of Rooftop Solar PV
The trend is expected to continue, with projections indicating that by 2030, approximately 100 million households will rely on rooftop solar PV systems. This growth is driven by the increasing competitiveness of PV technology and the growing demand for clean energy sources.
Malaysia experiences an average of 240 thunderstorm days per year, making it one of the top lightning hotspots in the world! In fact, Kuala Lumpur has the highest rate of lightning strikes in Asia.
Potential Risks of Lightning Strikes to Rooftop Solar PV Systems and Buildings
Lightning strikes can cause catastrophic damage to critical electronic components such as inverters, battery management systems, and connecting cables. The high-energy surge can destroy these components, leading to costly repairs and system downtime.
Lightning strikes can cause significant financial damage. The Sustainable Energy Development Authority of Malaysia (SEDA) regularly receives complaints about damaged components and distribution boards of PV systems due to lightning strikes. The cost of repairing or replacing damaged components can be substantial.
Areas with high NGFD, such as certain regions in Malaysia, experience a higher frequency of lightning strikes, increasing the risk to rooftop solar PV systems.
Significance of Lightning Protection for Buildings with Solar PV Systems.
Lightning protection for buildings is crucial for several reasons, especially for those with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Here are some key points:
Safety and Damage Prevention
- Direct Strikes: Lightning can cause fires, explosions, and irreparable damage to electronics and appliances. A proper lightning protection system minimizes these risks by capturing the high currents and voltages and directing them safely away from the building.
- Electrical Surges: Lightning strikes can induce electrical surges that damage sensitive electronics and electrical systems. Surge protection devices (SPDs) are essential in preventing these surges from entering the building’s internal wiring.
Solar PV Systems
- Vulnerability: Solar PV systems are particularly vulnerable to lightning strikes due to their outdoor installation and extensive wiring. A lightning strike can cause significant damage to the panels, inverters, and other components.
- Grounding: Proper grounding is the most fundamental technique for protection against lightning damage. It provides a direct path for the lightning current to travel to the ground, bypassing sensitive equipment.
- Surge Protection: Installing SPDs in the power supply circuit of solar panels helps mitigate the negative effects of lightning-induced surges.
Benefits of Lightning Protection
- Enhanced Safety: Prevents fires and structural damage by safely diverting lightning’s energy.
- Reduced Downtime: Ensures that critical operations continue without interruption during severe weather conditions.
- Cost Savings: Prevents costly repairs and replacements due to lightning damage.
In summary, lightning protection systems are essential for safeguarding buildings and their occupants, especially those with solar PV systems. They help prevent damage, ensure safety, and maintain continuous operation during lightning events.
Introducing the 1-Day Workshop on Protection against Lightning for Buildings with Roof Top Solar PV Power System
Welcome to our exciting workshop on “Protection Against Lightning for Buildings with Roof Top Solar PV Power Systems”!
Join us on February 20, 2025, at the Malakoff Auditorium, Wisma IEM, PJ, for a comprehensive one-day session where we will explore essential topics such as risk assessment, design, installation, and maintenance of lightning protection systems.
Our expert speakers, including Dr. Albert Kow, Ir. KT Lim, Mr. Steven Chia, and Mr. Chris Lim, will guide you through the latest standards and guidelines from Suruhanjaya Tenaga, Bomba, and SEDA. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge and skills in lightning protection!
Key Topics Covered in the Workshop
- Risk assessment for lightning protection in buildings with rooftop solar PV systems.
- Design, installation, and maintenance of lightning protection systems.
- Compliance with guidelines and circulars from Suruhanjaya Tenaga (ST), Bomba, and the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA).
- Overview of lightning protection standards, specifically the MS IEC 62305 series and IEC TR 63227:2020.
- Protection strategies for individuals in open fields where conventional lightning protection is impractical
Speakers for the Workshop
- Dr. Albert Kow
- Ir. KT Lim
- Mr. Steven Chia
- Mr. Chris Lim
Program Schedule
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 8:30am – 9:00am | Registration / Breakfast |
| 9:00am – 9:05am | Welcoming message by Tako Group of Companies Chief Executive Officer |
| 9:00am – 9:30am | Lightning risk assessment (MS IEC 62305-1/-2 and IEC TR 63227) based on Malaysian climatic conditions |
| 9:30am – 9:45am | Demonstration of TAKO – UTAR lightning risk assessment software |
| 9:45am – 10:45am | Protection against lightning for buildings (MS IEC 62305-3) |
| 10:45am – 11:00am | Tea break |
| 11:00am – 11:45am | Protection against lightning for buildings (MS IEC 62305-3) |
| 11:45am – 12:00pm | Case study: Protection against lightning for buildings (MS IEC 62305-3) |
| 12:00noon – 12:30pm | Protection against lightning for roof top solar PV system (IEC TR 63227) |
| 12:30pm – 1:00pm | Lunch |
| 1:00pm – 2:30pm | Protection against lightning for roof top solar PV system (IEC TR 63227) |
| 2:30pm – 3:00pm | Case study: Protection against lightning for roof top solar PV system (IEC TR 63227) |
| 3:00pm – 4:00pm | Surge protection system (MS IEC 62305-4/IEC TR 63227) |
| 4:00pm – 4:15pm | Break |
| 4:15pm – 5:10pm | Thunderstorm warning systems for open field (MS IEC 63793) |
| 5:10pm – 5:20pm | Demonstration of TAKO thunderstorm warning system (MS IEC 63793) |
| 5:20pm – 5:30pm | Q&A |
Registration for the Workshop
- To register for the workshop, you can visit the IEM website at https://www.myiem.org.my
| Members Type | Registration Fees (Online) | Registration Fees (Normal) |
|---|---|---|
| IEM Student | RM150.00 | RM250.00 |
| IEM Graduate | RM200.00 | RM300 |
| IEM Corporate Member | RM400.00 | RM500 |
| Non-IEM Member | RM800.00 | RM900 |
Workshop Flyer
Glossary
Solar PV Safety
- Solar PV Safety: This encompasses all aspects of ensuring safe design, installation, operation, and maintenance of solar photovoltaic systems. It includes measures to prevent electrical hazards, fire risks, and structural failures.
Risk Assessment for Solar Installations
- Risk Assessment for Solar Installations: A systematic process to identify and evaluate potential hazards associated with a solar PV system. This includes electrical shock, fire, structural collapse, arc flash, and environmental impacts.
Lightning Protection Standards
- Lightning Protection Standards: A set of rules and guidelines for designing and installing lightning protection systems to safeguard structures and equipment from the effects of lightning strikes.
- MS IEC 62305: A series of international standards published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that provide comprehensive guidance on lightning protection for structures and electrical installations.
- IEC TR 63227:2020: An IEC Technical Report that provides guidance on the application of lightning protection systems to photovoltaic (PV) systems.
Building Safety Guidelines
- Building Safety Guidelines: A set of regulations and recommendations for the safe design, construction, and maintenance of buildings, including those with solar PV installations. These guidelines aim to minimize risks to occupants and the environment.
Solar Energy and Lightning
- Solar Energy and Lightning: This area of study focuses on the interaction between solar PV systems and lightning strikes, including the potential for lightning-induced damage to solar panels, inverters, and other components.
Protection against Lightning
- Protection against Lightning: Measures taken to mitigate the effects of lightning strikes on structures and equipment, such as lightning rods, early streamer emission air terminals, and surge protection devices.
Sustainable Energy Solutions
- Sustainable Energy Solutions: Energy sources and technologies that are environmentally friendly, economically viable, and socially equitable. Solar PV is a key component of sustainable energy solutions.
Electrical Engineering Workshops
- Electrical Engineering Workshops: Practical, hands-on training sessions for electrical engineers, often focused on specific topics like solar PV design, installation, troubleshooting, and safety.
CPD Training for Engineers
- CPD Training for Engineers: Continuing Professional Development training for engineers, which aims to maintain and enhance their knowledge and skills throughout their careers. This often includes training on new technologies, safety regulations, and best practices.
Lightning Surge Protection
- Lightning Surge Protection: Devices and techniques used to protect electrical and electronic equipment from the damaging effects of lightning-induced surges in voltage and current. These include surge arresters, surge suppressors, and grounding systems.
Renewable Energy Safety
- Renewable Energy Safety: A broad term encompassing all aspects of safety related to the development, deployment, and operation of renewable energy technologies, including solar PV, wind power, and bioenergy.
Rooftop solar PV systems are not only helping to reduce carbon emissions but also providing economic benefits and energy independence to households and businesses. It’s an exciting time for solar energy, and the future looks bright!
So, don’t delay to register for the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia organized Lightning Protection Workshop Malaysia.
