Lightning Protection and Safety Investigation in Livestock-Integrated Agrivoltaic Systems

Abstract:
This study investigates the lightning protection concept for livestock-integrated agrivoltaic systems, emphasizing the safety of cattle coexisting with photovoltaic power plants. Addressing the particularities posed by this coexistence, this study presents mechanisms of lightning injury and discusses the safe limits for lightning step and touch voltages tailored to livestock. An extensive evaluation of a typical earth-termination system is provided, along with considerations of the system reliability during lightning events. This evaluation takes into account particularities of designing an earthing system for agrivoltaics from the perspective of ensuring livestock safety during lightning events. By addressing challenges, discussing safety limits, and highlighting particularities of the external lightning protection system, this study contributes to advancing the understanding and implementation of reliable and lightning-safe agrivoltaic systems integrated with livestock farming, an area of research that remains largely unexplored.