This paper will deal with improvement of lightning induced voltage performance of distribution network by optimizing the surge arrester location on the distribution network. The optimization of the location is made by using a novel formulation based on genetic algorithms. Here is described the implementation of this methodology by using sophisticate software which has been used for lightning induced voltage analysis. It is also described the capabilities and the limitations of this novel formulation. The performance of the network is evaluated by means of a probability distribution curve obtained from a statistical evaluation of the lightning induced voltages on the distribution line.