Wiring Styles? Safe vs Cost Effective

[Nonlin]

So I'm sure there is a lot more to cover when it comes to wiring but my first though is, should I run two wires from two strings 100 feet to a combiner box that is close to my break box or should I instead keep the combiner box near the solar panels and take a single wire 100 feet to the break box inside my house?

My first thought is, keeping the combiner box near the breaker box is wiser because if lighting strikes it will better be able to protect but will need more wire?
The inverse is less wire but less safe?

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Thunder isn't going to to anything at all.

In the event of an actual lightning strike, you're screwed either way.

 

[rhino]

If you are concerned about nearby strikes you ideally install a Midnite surge protector at both the array and inside after the long wire run. If you do that you can just as well parallel the strings at the array and run single pair of cables (plus ground) back if technically possible.