Solar/Wind Energy, Broadcasting, & Communications
Structural Lightning Protection
Ensure that your operations are always protected from damaging lightning strikes. At ALP Systems, Inc., we specialize in structural lightning protection for a wide range of industries.
Solar & Alternative Energy
The solar power industry is growing steadily every year. The total number of solar systems installed up through the third quarter of 2012 alone surpassed the total amount of systems installed in 2011. These numbers are expected to continue to grow as more and more homeowners, businesses, and local governments invest in green energy.
As these photo-voltaic solar arrays are becoming more numerous, so are the chances of incurring damage from lightning. Weather and lightning experts are saying that the number and the severity of lightning strikes are going to continue to increase as our weather patterns continue to change. Photo-voltaic solar arrays, or PV solar arrays, as with any electronic-controlled devices, are susceptible to system failures from time to time.
It is estimated that from one-third to one-half of all failures of PV solar arrays are caused by lightning. Here is a fairly simple but graphic description of why they are so susceptible to lightning damage: PV Solar arrays are essentially low-voltage circuit boards designed to turn the light from the sun into low-voltage electricity. Now, imagine taking an assortment of your favorite electronics, mounting them to a metal framework on your roof, running wires between them to connect them all together, and then connecting this system into the electrical service of your home or business. This is essentially how most solar arrays are installed. It’s similar to putting your computer or home entertainment system on your roof and not expecting it to be affected by lightning.
The typical PV solar array does not come with any special form of structural lightning protection or grounding, and most do not even come with surge protection devices of any kind. It is easy to understand why PV solar arrays should be protected from lightning. ALP Systems, Inc. has been working with PV solar array installations for years, and we have developed our own specific and specialized lightning protection design to protect these systems from the direct and indirect effects of lightning.
A properly engineered and designed system includes a custom grounding system engineered to the specific needs of the site, a structural lightning protection system to protect the solar arrays from direct lightning strikes, and a series of surge protection devices to protect the wiring systems. ALP Systems, Inc. can perform design, engineering, and installation services for all types of solar array systems, including rooftop metal frame systems, flexible roof-adhered systems, and freestanding ground-mounted systems.
Broadcasting & Communications
When you drive up to a broadcast or communications site and see a steel tower rising hundreds of feet in the air, it is obvious that the broadcast and communications industry has many characteristics that are unique to only that industry. This is particularly true in regards to how lightning protection is integrated into the typical broadcast or communications site.
ALP Systems, Inc. stands apart from the other lightning protection companies by having decades of relevant experience providing professional lightning protection installations to the broadcast and communications industry.
Our experienced technicians are familiar with all aspects of the typical communications site, including the construction of communication and broadcast towers, satellite dishes, equipment shelters, and the millions of dollars of equipment that they contain. While most communication sites have some lightning protection equipment or bonding and grounding installed at the time of construction, a high percentage of them are improperly installed, leaving your site and equipment vulnerable to lightning damages.
ALP Systems, Inc. can design and install bonding and grounding systems specifically designed for towers, monopolies, dishes, shelters, and generators. Our systems meet and exceed the guidelines of IEEE, Motorola R56, Ericson, and ANSI/EIA/TIA standards.
We can also design and install a comprehensive lightning protection package to protect your broadcast or communications site from the damaging effects of lightning. These packages include surge suppression equipment for AC power, data, low-voltage lines, RF transmission lines, generator transfer switches, and tower obstruction lighting systems. Call us today to put our experience to work protecting your investments.