The use of solar power and solar energy installations is growing all over the world. Dehn Africa has worked on projects across the African continent and notes that, while solar installations are on the rise, the use of photovoltaic (PV) installations brings with it the need for protection against lightning and surge protection. The company offers turn-key services for lightning and surge protection as well as AC system earthing, from the beginning to the end of a project. These services include: lightning risk assessments, soil-resistivity testing, earth-grid design for AC system faults, detailed lightning protection designs, and design and system inspection reports, including the final lightning safety reports. Across Africa, the company has seen a focus on ground-mounted utility-scale PV installations. Additionally, many countries in Africa face the issue of unreliable utility power grids, with frequent outages, which can in turn create power surges. Therefore, new and existing solar farms must be protected against both lightning strikes and unexpected power surges.
Contact Hano Oelofse, DEHN Africa, Tel 011 704-1487, hano.oelofse@dehn-africa.com
