BertKu

Thank you all,  who replied to my question, really appreciated. 

Can You still remember the  solar cars competition from I think, Johannesburg to Cape Town., the Dutch had some solarcells of a German origin, which gave also energy when it was overcast due to some substrate, which also converted infra particles + normal photons  . They were nicely waiving at the cars standing along the road due to a heavy overcastng. They won in I think Australia as well as in South Africa.  That should answer your question. BertKu
 

Can You still remember the  solar cars competition from I think, Johannesburg to Cape Town., the Dutch had some solarcells of a German origin, which gave also energy when it was overcast due to some substrate, which also converted infra particles + normal photons  . They were nicely waiving at the cars standing along the road due to a heavy overcastng. They won in I think Australia as well as in South Africa.  That should answer your question. BertKu
 

Yes, it is one of the most difficult subjects and the CSIR some 40 years ago did some incredible nice research conclusions. Somebody mentioned, can he use 5 mm2 cable. Let say he is good and get a resistance of 0,1 Ohm. With a lightning strike of 60.000 Ampere, you looking at still 0,1 x 60000 = 6000 Volt on your panel. Not ideal. Thus if you earth it, the thickest copper cable you can afford.   The CSIR figured out that the best way in protecting thatched roof house is by two or 3 very high poles with excellent earthing, which created a neutral 45 degrees field, and with the thatched house in the neutral zone, no fires were recorded.  One thing is for sure, one should try to create a Faraday cage around his electronics. .
I love to put some very high poles around my house, but how long will it take before a neighbor is complaining at the municipality and I have to take it down? For me the best is that my neighbors have better lightning protection than me, then I will only have to worry about surges. One has to obey with the law, but how good were the people who propose the rules? if I was on a farm, i would put some  good high lightning poles up and have the solar panels in the neutral field  Bert

Yes, it is one of the most difficult subjects and the CSIR some 40 years ago did some incredible nice research conclusions. Somebody mentioned, can he use 5 mm2 cable. Let say he is good and get a resistance of 0,1 Ohm. With a lightning strike of 60.000 Ampere, you looking at still 0,1 x 60000 = 6000 Volt on your panel. Not ideal. Thus if you earth it, the thickest copper cable you can afford.   The CSIR figured out that the best way in protecting thatched roof house is by two or 3 very high poles with excellent earthing, which created a neutral 45 degrees field, and with the thatched house in the neutral zone, no fires were recorded.  One thing is for sure, one should try to create a Faraday cage around his electronics. .
I love to put some very high poles around my house, but how long will it take before a neighbor is complaining at the municipality and I have to take it down? For me the best is that my neighbors have better lightning protection than me, then I will only have to worry about surges. One has to obey with the law, but how good were the people who propose the rules? if I was on a farm, i would put some  good high lightning poles up and have the solar panels in the neutral field  Bert

Yes, it is one of the most difficult subjects and the CSIR some 40 years ago did some incredible nice research conclusions. Somebody mentioned, can he use 5 mm2 cable. Let say he is good and get a resistance of 0,1 Ohm. With a lightning strike of 60.000 Ampere, you looking at still 0,1 x 60000 = 6000 Volt on your panel. Not ideal. Thus if you earth it, the thickest copper cable you can afford.   The CSIR figured out that the best way in protecting thatched roof house is by two or 3 very high poles with excellent earthing, which created a neutral 45 degrees field, and with the thatched house in the neutral zone, no fires were recorded.  One thing is for sure, one should try to create a Faraday cage around his electronics. .
I love to put some very high poles around my house, but how long will it take before a neighbor is complaining at the municipality and I have to take it down? For me the best is that my neighbors have better lightning protection than me, then I will only have to worry about surges. One has to obey with the law, but how good were the people who propose the rules? if I was on a farm, i would put some  good high lightning poles up and have the solar panels in the neutral field  Bert