Solar photovoltaic (PV) farms currently play a vital role in the generation of electrical\npower in different countries, such as Malaysia, which is moving toward the use of renewable\nenergy. Malaysia is one of the countries with abundant sunlight and thus can use solar PV farms\nas alternative sources for electricity generation. However, lightning strikes frequently occur in the\ncountry. Being installed in open and flat areas, solar PV farms, especially their electronic components,\nare at great risk of damage caused by lightning. In this paper, the effects of lightning currents\nwith different peak currents and waveshapes on grid-connected solar PV farms were determined\nto approximate the level of transient effect that can damage solar PV modules, inverters and\ntransformers. Depending on the location of the solar PV farm, engineer can obtain information\non the peak current and median current of the site from the lightning location system (LLS) and\nutilise the results obtained in this study to appropriately assign an SPD to protect the solar panel,\ninverter and the main panel that connected to the grid. Therefore, the simulation results serve as\nthe basis for controlling the effects of lightning strikes on electrical equipment and power grids\nwhere it provides proper justification on the ââ?¬Ë?where to be installedââ?¬â?¢ and ââ?¬Ë?what is the ratingââ?¬â?¢ of the\nSPD. This judgment and decision will surely reduce the expensive cost of repair and replacement of\nelectrical equipment damages due to the lightning.
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