Explanation of Lighting Protection System in Power Plant

The lighting protection in solar power plants, we designed and approved should be as identified
methods related to hazards or ability to withstand lightning will concern as follows

1. Installation – Should stable.

2. Low resistance and impedance grounding system to bond all electrically conductive surfaces
together - Should provide safety step and touch voltage criteria appropriate for a power
generation facility.
3. Surge protection device (SPD).

The above ,mention can identified in detail as IEC 62305 standard as below.

Standard BS EN/IEC 62305-1

Lightning current parameters are defined. These are used as the basis for the selection and
implementation of the appropriate protection measures.

Basis of IEC standard – Physical damage to structures and life hazard

Lightning Protection System (LPS) BS EN/IEC 62305-1 has defined 4 Lightning Protection levels (LPLs)
based on probable minimum and maximum lightning currents. These LPLs equate directly to classed of
LPS.

1) External LPS design considerations

The lightning protection designer must initially consider the thermal and explosive effects caused at the
point of a lightning strike and the consequences to the structure under consideration. Depending upon
the consequences the designer may choose either of the following types of external LPS

- Isolated (chosen when the structure is constructed of combustible materials or presents a risk of
explosion.)
- Non- isolated (chosen where no danger exists.)
An external LPS consists of

- Air termination system : capture the lightning discharge current and dissipate it harmlessly to
earth via the down conductor and earth termination system.
- Down conductor system : should within the bounds of practical constraints take the most direct
route from the air termination system to the earth termination system. Typical values of the
distance or the down conductor spacing should correspond with the relevant class of LPS.
- Earth termination system : is vital for the dispersion of lightning current safely and effectively
into the ground. Should possess low electrical resistance between electrode and the earth.
Good corrosion resistance, the choice of material for the earth electrode and its connections is
of vital importance.

These individual elements of an LPS should be connected together using appropriate lightning
protection components (LPC).

2) Internal LPS design considerations

To ensure the avoidance of dangerous sparking occurring within the structure to be protected.

Electrical and electronic system within structure

- Lightning protection zone (LPZs) : defined by protection measures against, identified as already having
successively less exposure to the effects of lightning.

- External Zones : subject to direct lightning strokes

- Internal Zones : subject to partial lightning currents

Surge Protection Measures (SPM)

Reference: guide to BS EN/IEC 62305 www.furse.com

However, we strictly follow the technical and quality control also have to consider about plant
management should be a practical use. Saving the shading area of its tower.

Super Solar Power Plants Project

No. Plant Capacity The Height of Radius of lighting Pre- Tower

(MWp) early streamer protection discharge installed
(meters) (meters) (µs) (Towers)
1. Phan Lam 36.72 9 108 60 18
2. Binh An 50 9 108 60 22
3. Sinenergy 50 9 107 60 17
4. Van Giao 1 50 10 108 63 26
5. Van Giao 2 50 10 108 63 27
1. 36.72 MWp Nam Viet Phan Lam Solar power plant

Picture 1 : The detail design of early streamer which the height is equal to 9 m.

No Description Design Units

.
1. The Height of early streamer 9 meters
2. Radius of lighting protection 1.08 meters
3. Tower installed 18 towers
Picture 2 : the lighting protection radius of 1 tower will cover 1.08 m. which in this plant designed 18
towers to cover all PV modules.
2. 50 MWp Everich Binh Thuan Solar Power Plant

Picture 1 : The detail design of early streamer which the height is equal to 9 m.

No Description Design Units

.
1. The Height of early streamer 9 meters
2. Radius of lighting protection 1.08 meters
3. Tower installed 18 towers
Picture 2 : the lighting protection radius of 1 tower will cover 108 m. which in this plant designed 22
towers to cover all PV modules.

3. 50 MWp Sinenergy Ninh Thuan Solar Power Plant

 Picture 1 : The detail design of early streamer which the height is equal to 9 m.

No Description Design Units

.
1. The Height of early streamer 9 meters
2. Radius of lighting protection 107 meters
3. Tower installed 17 towers

Picture 2 : the lighting protection radius of 1 tower will cover 108 m. which in this plant designed 17
towers to cover all PV modules.
4. 50 MWp Van Giao1 Solar Power Plant

Picture 1 : The detail design of early streamer which the height is equal to 10 m.

No Description Design Units

.
1. The Height of early streamer 10 meters
2. Radius of lighting protection 108 meters
3. Tower installed 26 towers
Picture 2 : the lighting protection radius of 1 tower will cover 108 m. which in this plant designed 26
towers to cover all PV modules.

5. 50 MWp Van Giao2 Solar Power Plant

Picture 1 : The detail design of early streamer which the height is equal to 10 m.

No Description Design Units

 .
1. The Height of early streamer 10 meters
2. Radius of lighting protection 108 meters
3. Tower installed 27 towers

Picture 2 : the lighting protection radius of 1 tower will cover 108 m. which in this plant designed 27
towers to cover all PV modules.