The debate on surge protection in photovoltaic systems has been gaining momentum in Brazil.
Although technical standards such as NBR 16690, IEC 61643-32, NBR 5419, and NBR 5410 recommend the use of SPDs (Surge Protection Devices) on both the direct current and alternating current sides, part of the market still neglects these measures, jeopardizing the safety of installations and causing losses throughout the supply chain. This is the assessment of Yasmin Brito, electrical engineer and business manager at CLAMPER.
According to electrical engineering, the problem arises from the practice of relying solely on the inverters' internal protections. "Although these devices contain basic safety mechanisms, they were not designed to withstand high-intensity surges," he points out.
When this happens, the passage of high currents within the equipment generates electromagnetic fields that spread rapidly, reaching sensitive components and accelerating wear and tear on the entire electronic structure. The result is a significant reduction in the system's lifespan, making it more vulnerable to failure and damage.
“The passage of high currents within the inverter generates electromagnetic fields that can quickly damage electronic components, compromising the system’s useful life,” he warned.
Studies by UPE (University of Pernambuco) indicate that the use of external protection, in accordance with installation standards, is essential.
“More than 93% of the surge current is diverted to external devices, relieving internal protection and ensuring more stable operation, in addition to reducing the risk of premature failures,” explains Yasmim.
The engineer also highlights that the losses affect consumers and businesses, as inverter failures cause interruptions in energy generation and directly impact the return on investment time.
Furthermore, breakages represent extra costs and wear and tear on commercial relationships and a significant environmental impact.
“By avoiding premature replacement of equipment, we contribute to reducing the volume of electronic waste, a growing challenge for the sector,” he adds.
Inverters have been frequently burned out, causing direct impacts on consumers, who face interruptions in power generation and increased payback times.
For manufacturers, distributors, and integrators, these failures also generate additional costs for replacements and maintenance, in addition to affecting business relationships.
To make these losses more visible and measurable, tools such as solar calculator have been adopted, allowing the estimation of economic losses caused by the shutdown of systems without adequate protection and highlighting the real impact on consumers and companies.
According to Yasmim, external protection is no longer just a technical detail but has become a central component of the system.
"Alongside modules and inverters, protection is consolidating itself as a key element in ensuring safety, longevity, and return on investment. This movement reflects the maturity of the sector, which is moving toward an increasingly professional, sustainable, and innovative future in Brazil," he highlighted.
The topic was also discussed in Papo Solar 145, episode entitled “How to avoid downtime and losses in solar power: the role of the inverter and the String Box in system protection”, with the participation of Eliane Beatriz Cândido, Commercial Director of CLAMPER, Samuel Costa, Marketing Manager of Sungrow, and Yasmin Brito.
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