I forgot to ground/earth my solar array... now how to fix it

[Supervstech]

Grounding solar panels whil do you no good, it is more likely to atract lightning since you place ground higher than the sorounding area . ither way it whil fry your solar panels if the lightning hits it . it is bether to have a rod placed higher than your solar aray in the ground somwhere nearby and have a high current protection and fuse between your inverter/batteries , and your as safe as you can get.

Anecdotal evidence is no substitute for actual knowledge. Please research what causes a lightning strike, and how grounding prevents them…

 

[Short_Shot]

Grounding solar panels whil do you no good, it is more likely to atract lightning since you place ground higher than the sorounding area . ither way it whil fry your solar panels if the lightning hits it . it is bether to have a rod placed higher than your solar aray in the ground somwhere nearby and have a high current protection and fuse between your inverter/batteries , and your as safe as you can get.

Good lord please don't continue to run around telling everyone that.

Especially as you don't need a ground rod to still be an excellent path to earth through a few wooden posts and a solar panel.

Lightning doesn't really care about "insulation" when it's a hundred million volts or more. A 4x4 in the ground is just as good a way to complete a circuit as a gold plated copper ground rod as far as lightning gives a damn.

That's kind of the reason why trees tend to be the first thing struck. The wood still conducts better than air.

 

[TommyBredesen]

PLEASE find some CREDIBLE info to support that pile of malarkey. You better Ground the metal (aluminium racking & panels frames) because they do get zapped. This is why we use Lightning Protection devices and they were invented over 100 years ago...

NO Respectable SOLAR INSTALLER with credentials would ever install anything without Surge & Lightning protection accounted for. Neither would it pass inspections. BEWARE of info posted by folks on the, engage Critical Thinking and remember every Nation & Region has their own Electrical Codes & Requirements and they vary somewhat. REMEMBER, It's Your Solar Gear, Batteries, INVESTMENT and your family's lives so be cautious of advice given that risks any of it in any way.

Category Products - MidNite Solar's

MidNite Solar Category Products.

www.midnitesolar.com

http://solarabcs.org/about/publications/reports/systemgrounding/pdfs/SystemGrounding_studyreport.pdf

Installation Practices: Keep Your PV System Well-Grounded

Of all the elements of a U.S. solar installation, the grounding portion of the system may well be the most important.

www.solarpowerworldonline.com

https://www.iaei.org/page/2021-01-grounding-and-bonding-solar-photovoltaic-systems

if lighting hits your solar aray , grounded or not. it whil get fried , i know from a werry exspensive exsperience.. only thing that whil save the rest of your system is what you put between your solar aray and electronics , grounding solar arays on top of high buildings is common and the only reason for grounding solar arays is to prevent the buildings they are attached to from catching fire. If you want to save your solar aray , ground the highest place close to it . And as long as your solar aray is not grounded It whil not take any damage. Grounding Solar arays whit higher buldings and trees is a total waste it whil only give the lighting another target .

 

[Short_Shot]

if lighting hits your solar aray , grounded or not. it whil get fried , i know from a werry exspensive exsperience.. only thing that whil save the rest of your system is what you put between your solar aray and electronics , grounding solar arays on top of high buildings is common but a total waste close to ground whit higher buldings and trees .

Yes it will still kill it.

No, grounding it is not a "total waste" and you should stop pushing that.