Home Best Solar Systems Lightning & Surge Protection Off-Grid Solar Zimbabwe Solar Accessories Solar Maintenance Tips Solar Protection Kits Solar System Safety Lightning Strikes in Zimbabwe Are Among the World’s Deadliest — Here’s How to Protect Your Solar System!

By Sona Brands

On December 08, 2025

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The Truth About Lightning in Zimbabwe — Risks, Facts and How to Protect Solar Systems Property!

Protecting Solar Investments from Nature's Most Destructive Force

During the rainy season, solar installers and homeowners alike face a common source of stress: Lightning. Zimbabwe holds a unique and somewhat terrifying position globally — including the world record for the highest number of people killed by a single lightning strike (21 people in 1975) — and consistently ranks among countries with the highest lightning fatality rates per capita, largely due to its mineral-rich granite geology.

Solar Panels and Lightning Risks in Zimbabwe

The time and cost incurred in repairing damage due to strikes are astronomically high. Whether it is a direct hit melting a panel or an indirect surge frying an inverter, prior protection is worth the investment. Sona Solar Zimbabwe presents this detailed technical guide on safeguarding your energy independence.

1. Understanding the Enemy

Lightning strikes are classified into two distinct categories. Understanding them is the first step to protection.

DIRECT STRIKES

Catastrophic Physical Damage

What happens: Lightning hits the solar array directly. This is rare but devastating.
The Result: Immediate melting of panels, physical destruction of inverters, vaporization of fuses and cables, and a high risk of fire due to the massive current induced into the system.

INDIRECT STRIKES

The "Silent Killer"

What happens: Lightning strikes nearby (a tree, ground, or power line). This creates electromagnetic induction.
The Result: A high-voltage surge travels through the ground or wiring into your house. It bypasses fuses and destroys sensitive electronics (inverters, charge controllers, TVs) without physically burning the roof.

2. Proper Grounding: The Foundation

The Science of Grounding

Grounding (Earthing) is the technique used to divert the path of lightning currents straight to the earth. For places with occasional lightning, proper grounding alone can often protect a PV system.

Crucial Rule: Even if you use expensive lightning arrestors and surge protectors, they will fail if they cannot dump the excess energy into the ground effectively.

Grounding Best Practices

Soil Resistivity: Before installation, the ground's ability to handle electricity flow must be checked (per NEC Article 250). Dry soil with poor conductivity requires special chemical earth treatment.
Interconnection: All PV panel frames, mounting rails, the inverter chassis, and controllers must be bonded to a common ground.
Dual Earth Pits: Sona Solar recommends installing one earth pit for the DC side (Panels/DCDB) and a separate one for the Lightning Arrestor and AC side to prevent cross-contamination of surges.
Material: Use Copper or GI strips free from sharp bends. Bends act as resistance points during a high-speed lightning strike.

3. External Protection Systems

These systems protect the building structure from direct hits.

Air Termination (Lightning Rods)

Installed at the highest point, these rods intercept the strike. Design methods include:

Protection Angle Method: Preferred for solar systems. It ensures the rod is high enough to create a "cone of protection" over the panels without casting shadows that reduce efficiency.
Rolling Sphere Method: Used for complex building structures.
Mesh Method: Used for flat roof structures.

Down Conductors

The down conductor acts as the highway for lightning current to reach the earth. It must provide the shortest, least resistant path. High-voltage insulated down conductors are recommended to prevent "side-flashing" into the solar wiring.

4. Internal Protection (LPS)

This safeguards against the high-voltage surges that travel through wires.

SURGE PROTECTION DEVICES (SPD)

The System's "Airbag"

An SPD limits transient overvoltages below a hazardous value. When a spike occurs, the SPD clamps the voltage and diverts the excess current to the earth ground.

Where to install:
1. In the DC Combiner Box (protecting panels to inverter).
2. In the AC Distribution Box (protecting inverter to grid/home).

EQUIPOTENTIAL BONDING

Preventing Sparks

This technique connects different isolated metal parts of the system to reduce voltage differences. According to IEC 60364-4-41, this prevents dangerous sparking between electrical components during a storm.

5. When is Protection Mandatory?

Risk Factors

You definitely need advanced protection if:

The solar system is in a lightning-prone area (Highvelds of Zimbabwe).
There are heavy metal objects nearby (water tanks, satellite antennas).
The length of DC wire runs is larger than 100m (increases induction risk).
The soil is dry with poor conductivity (requires chemical earthing).

IEC Standards (62305)

Professional installations follow BS EN/IEC 62305, which governs:

Part 1: General principles
Part 2: Risk management
Part 3: Physical damage to structures
Part 4: Electrical and electronic systems

Secure Your Investment

Trust Sona Solar Zimbabwe

Protecting your solar system from lightning-induced damage is crucial to ensure its longevity. By adhering to proper grounding techniques and installing surge protectors, you significantly reduce the risk.

Sona Solar Zimbabwe offers comprehensive solar system installations with a 1-year workmanship warranty. We ensure every system includes the correct Earthing and Surge Protection protocols.

Safeguard your solar investment today. Contact Sona Solar Zimbabwe for a site assessment.

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