Protect your solar power system with effective lightning protection. . While comprehensive research shows solar installations are remarkably resilient to extreme weather, lightning represents one risk factor worth addressing. When lightning damage does occur, it accounts for 32% of weather-related solar panel incidents, making proper protection a valuable investment. . Lightning is a common cause of failures in photovoltaic (PV) and wind-electric systems. A damaging surge can occur from lightning that strikes a long distance from the system or between clouds. In this article, you will learn how to protect your solar power. . Solar PV systems are designed to collect energy from sunlight, but they also have large metallic components including panels, frames, and mounts, along with extensive electrical wiring.