The development of photovoltaic installations is reshaping our energy landscape. As we move towards a more sustainable future, solar panels in various forms are 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 PV installations, selecting the appropriate PV cables requires careful consideration. Cables act as the arteries of these systems, carrying electrical currents from solar panels to inverters and ultimately to the grid. In this blog, we will explore the innovative solutions offered by Top Cable and discuss the future prospects of PV installations in light of sustainability concerns.
Unification of renewable energy
Commitment to renewable energies is growing among neighboring communities and businesses. It is becoming increasingly common to see solar panels installed on buildings or homes, so there is a growing concern about having safe PV installations.
The numbers speak for themselves. According to data from Solar Europe, global PV capacity will continue the trend in recent years, exceeding the previous year’s growth year on year. Therefore, it is expected that by 2027 the annual capacity of 800 GW will be reached. This figure would cement photovoltaic installations at the forefront of energy production.
Safe photovoltaic installations
With the spread of photovoltaic installations, the number of accidents is increasing. This increase in accidents is mainly due to two safety factors.
On the one hand, legislation has developed a lot in recent years, as there are old photovoltaic installations that do not meet the minimum safety standards currently available in the sector. Regarding cables, the European CPR standard for cable currently provides guarantees for safe PV installations in the event of a fire.
One of the major problems facing the sector is that strong demand has led to lower prices at the expense of quality. We should not forget that having safe photovoltaic installations can save lives, it is invaluable.
Cable selection is crucial to security
The quality of cables used in PV installations is crucial to ensuring their reliability and safety. These installations are outdoors, so the cables are exposed to harsh and varied weather conditions and elements that can cause damage. For this reason, they must be designed with characteristics that make them resistant to these adversities.
A fire usually starts with an electrical arc. This electric arc causes very high temperatures in a very short time and increases the risk of fire spreading.
The special feature of electricity generation in photovoltaic installations is that it is generated by direct current. This means that, unlike the arcs generated in alternating current, they do not self-extinguish. The sun continues to generate electricity, so the system continues to generate voltage, keeping the flame alive. At this point, with an unsuitable cable, the fire can only be extinguished by disconnecting the cables, with the risks involved in this process.
Self-extinguishing photoelectric cables to enhance 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 centers. We recognize the importance of having safe PV installations that minimize fire risks, and we design our solar cables with this goal in mind.
Non-self-extinguishing optical cables
Self-extinguishing optical cables from Top Cable
Thanks to the range of cables for photovoltaic installations that we manufacture at Top Cable, the ability to spread a fire in the event of a fire is reduced as much as possible. We achieve this by offering self-extinguishing cable, such as TOPSOLAR® H1Z2Z2-K cable, with CPR Cca qualification. This greatly reduces the risk of fire spreading (if it does happen, it will be through the panels, not through the anchor cables), and the fire can be controlled more effectively.
If you have a solar project and want to ensure safe PV installations, contact us today and our sales team will get back to you as soon as possible.
