POWER CONDITIONER PROTECTION DEVICE AND POWER CONDITIONER PROTECTION METHOD

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To protect a power conditioner of a photovoltaic power generation system from direct lightning damage. SOLUTION: This power conditioner protection device 1 is installed on the roof of a dwelling house H, detects thunder light and the lightning damage, instructs a switch 2 to perform the parallel-off of the power conditioner 3 when it is presumed that a thunder cloud exists in a region (direct lightning damage region) within a prescribed distance from the dwelling house H on the basis of the detected thunder light, thunder rumbles, and a time difference of both, and instructs the parallel return of the power conditioner 3 to the switch 2 when only the time at which the thunder cloud passes elapses after the instruction of the parallel-off, and when it is presumed that the thunder cloud exists in a region at a distance not shorter than the prescribed distance from the dwelling house H. The switch 2 is connected to both ends of the power conditioner 3, and performs the parallel-off and parallel return of the power conditioner 3 in accordance with an instruction from the power conditioner protection device 1. By opening the switch 2, even if a solar battery array 5, an on-pole transformer 11, and its circumference are damaged by lightning, the power conditioner 3 subjected to the parallel-off is prevented from being damaged by lightning. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT