What increase in lightning strikes can be expected for a solar farm?

[silverfox8028]

A solar farm will be installed on 45 acres of the south face of a valley hillside approximately 300 feet high in southeastern Pennsylvania. The solar panels will be mounted in 3 X 20 panel arrays from 3' to 10' high using galvanized steel.
Assuming proper grounding, what can I expect for the increased frequency of lightning strikes? Will the strikes damage the solar panels?

 

[oldagpe]

The solar panels will not act as a lightning magnet.

A direct or close strike will damage the panels and the regulator/chargers connected to them.

NFPA 780 will tell you how to protect the panels by shunting the lightning.

You will also need to have a well thought out grounding scheme to minimize the effects of lightning. "Proper grounding" will not be achieved with only an NEC minimum.

And third, you will need surge protective devices (SPD)s at the right places to deal with electric and magnetic fields associated with lightning.