What is a PV SPD and why is it essential for photovoltaic systems?
Solar arrays are exposed to the elements outdoors for long periods of time and are susceptible to voltage spikes, especially from lightning strikes and grid disturbances. Without protection, such surges can lead to catastrophic component failures, costly repair cycles, and extended power outages—all of which directly impact financial performance and energy output.
GRL’s DNU1PV and DNU2PV series surge protection devices (SPDs) offer a purpose-built defense for solar arrays. Designed with the challenges of real-world PV environments in mind, these SPDs provide an essential safeguard for high-value components such as inverters, combiner boxes, and monitoring units. By mitigating surge-related risks, GRL devices enable operators to extend equipment service life, minimize system downtime, and achieve higher return on investment across the operational lifecycle of their installations. More than just electrical protection, these solutions reflect a proactive approach to system reliability, cost control, and long-term solar asset performance.
GRL PV SPD Solutions: High-Performance Defense for Solar Surge Events
Photovoltaic installations—regardless of scale—are subject to a range of electrical transients. These can originate from direct lightning activity, nearby strikes causing electromagnetic induction, or switching events within the grid and local subsystems. Such surges pose significant danger to precision electronics, often resulting in irreversible damage to PV panels, power conversion systems, and data monitoring infrastructure. Without proper protection, even minor transients can lead to premature component aging or unexpected system failures.
To address this critical need, GRL has developed the DNU1PV and DNU2PV series, a specialized line of surge protection devices tailored to the demanding environment of solar power systems. These SPDs are engineered to deliver key operational benefits:
Reliable Surge Mitigation – Rapid suppression of voltage surges ensures uninterrupted operation.
Extended Equipment Lifespan – Prevention of electrical stress reduces failure rates.
Operational Continuity – Avoidance of outages maximizes energy yield.
Optimized Cost Efficiency – Fewer service calls and replacements result in measurable long-term savings.
What distinguishes GRL’s PV SPDs is their intelligent operation. Under standard conditions, the device remains inactive, causing no interference with system performance. Upon detecting a surge, it reacts within nanoseconds, transitioning into a conductive state that safely channels the overvoltage to ground. After neutralizing the surge, the device automatically resets, resuming its passive role without human intervention. This self-restoring capability is vital for solar systems deployed in isolated or unmanned locations, where consistent uptime is paramount.
GRL’s DNU1PV (typically Type 1+2) and DNU2PV (Type 2) models are versatile and scalable, supporting both string-level and central inverter protection across residential rooftops, industrial solar fields, and commercial solar rooftops. By integrating these SPDs into PV system architecture, installers and operators ensure robust surge resilience while meeting international standards such as IEC 61643-31 and EN 50539-11.
