Evaluation of SPDs for a PV system using the FDTD method taking concrete foundations into consideration

A lightning surge analysis model with a concrete foundation for photovoltaic (PV) panels was made and experimentally validated. The foundation model was used to model a DC power distribution system within a full-scale PV system, and we evaluated required current withstand capability of surge protective devices (SPDs) using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method. Consequently we confirmed the method of selecting SPDs based on quantitative data using the FDTD method.