The combination of photovoltaic energy and agricultural production (so called agrivoltaics) is conducive to the…
Safe photovoltaic installations with Top Cable
The evolution of photovoltaic installations is reshaping our energy landscape. As we transition towards a more sustainable future, the presence of solar panels in various forms is becoming increasingly common. From rooftops to floating systems, these installations harness the power of the sun to generate clean energy. To ensure efficient and safe photovoltaic installations, choosing the right PV cables demands careful consideration. Cables serve as the arteries of these systems, carrying electrical currents from the solar panels to the inverters and ultimately to the grid. In this blog post, we will explore the innovative solutions provided by Top Cable and discuss the future prospects of photovoltaic installations in light of sustainability concerns.
RENEWABLE ENERGY CONSOLIDATION
The commitment to renewable energies is increasing among neighbourhood communities and companies. It is becoming increasingly common to see solar panels installed on buildings or homes, so there is growing concern about having safe photovoltaic installations.
The figures speak for themselves. According to data from the Solar Power Europe, global photovoltaic capacity will continue the trend of recent years, in which it has outstripped the growth of the previous year on an annual basis. Thus, it is predicted that by 2027 the annual capacity of 800GW will be reached. This figure would consolidate photovoltaic installations at the forefront of energy production.
SAFE PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATIONS
With this proliferation of photovoltaic installations, the number of incidents is increasing. This increase in incidents is mainly due to two factors related to safety.
On the one hand, legislation has evolved a lot in recent years, so there are old photovoltaic installations that do not have the minimum safety standards currently available in the sector. With regard to cables, the European CPR standard for a cable currently offers guarantees for safe photovoltaic installations in the event of fire.
One of the main problems facing the sector is that strong demand has driven prices down at the expense of quality. It should not be forgotten that having safe photovoltaic installations can save lives, it is priceless.
THE CHOICE OF THE CABLE IS DECISIVE FOR SECURITY
The quality of the cables used in photovoltaic installations is crucial to ensure their reliability and safety. These installations are outdoors, so the cables are exposed to harsh and diverse weather conditions and live with factors that can cause damage. That is why they have to be designed with characteristics that make them resistant to these adversities.
The fire usually starts with an electric arc. This electric arc causes very high temperatures to be reached in a very short time and increases the risk of the fire spreading.
The special feature of electricity generation in photovoltaic installations is that it is generated in direct current. This means that, unlike the electric arcs generated in alternating current, they are not self-extinguishing. The sun continues to generate electricity, so the system continues to generate voltage, which keeps the flame alive. At this point, with an inadequate cable, the fire can only be extinguished by disconnecting the cables, with the risk that this operation entails.
SELF-EXTINGUISHING PV CABLES FOR ENHANCED FIRE SAFETY
At Top Cable we are an example of a company committed to the environment. We have photovoltaic installations in each of our production centres. We are aware of the importance of having safe photovoltaic installations that reduce the risk of fire, and we design our solar cables with this objective in mind.
Non-self-extinguishing photovoltaic cables
Self-extinguishing photovoltaic cables from Top Cable
With the range of cables for photovoltaic installations that we manufacture at Top Cable, the capacity for fire spread in the event of a fire is minimised as much as possible. We achieve this by offering self-extinguishing cable, such as the TOPSOLAR® H1Z2Z2-K cable, with the CPR Cca qualification. This greatly reduces the risk of fire spreading (if it does, it is through the panels, and not through the cables of the installation), and the fire can be controlled more effectively.
If you have a solar project in hand and want to guarantee safe photovoltaic installations, contact us today and our sales team will get back to you as soon as possible.
