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Cable Usage in Solar Power Plants

The way photovoltaic cables used in solar power plants are laid significantly affects the performance of the installation and the ease of monitoring/repair. Proper cable management improves system efficiency by reducing energy losses and facilitating maintenance. When installing a solar power plant, it is important to optimize the performance of the system after determining the most suitable locations by paying attention to cable laying management.

Solar Power Plants Cabling Types

Medium voltage (MV) cables: As MV cables carry a large amount of energy from the solar plant to the grid, their correct configuration is extremely important. The routes of the cables connecting power stations in the field and supplying power to the local substation should be designed for easy maintenance and to reduce costly downtime. By optimizing the performance of connections between power stations, energy transport efficiency can be increased.

Low voltage (LV) cables: Since LV cables connect the collector elements in the solar plant to the power station, their accessibility should be considered during their installation. Installation under structures should be avoided as this will reduce accessibility for maintenance operations. The correct placement and installation of LV cables is an important factor affecting the performance of the solar power plant.

Array cables: Since the array cables connect the module arrays or groups in the solar plant to the LV collector element, correct routing and installation are extremely important. Given that the cables are located in the air and are directly connected to the LV collector element, installation processes must be extremely precise. The array cables, which are an important factor affecting the performance of the solar power plant, must be correctly routed and installed.

Grouping of Cable Structures

What are the best ways to configure these cables for efficient power generation?

Medium voltage (MV) cables connect power stations in the field, providing power to the local substation. Because they carry large amounts of energy, they are grouped in squares to limit energy losses and cable costs. Power stations are centrally located to reduce cable length and improve performance. The correct configuration of MV structures is crucial to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.

Low voltage (LV) structures supply power to the same collector element through a string box, string inverter or other equipment. They are grouped in squares, similar to average voltage (MV) structures, but different configurations are possible. For example, some systems may use rectangular groups where elements such as grounding conductors or direct current (DC) voltage conductors are arranged to avoid interconnecting structures in different rows using rectangular groups. The configuration of these structures should be designed taking into account ease of maintenance and cost.

Solar panels can be connected in series or parallel in a solar power system. This number of connections depends on various factors such as the size and type of solar panel used and the installation site. The type of inverter (series or centralized inverter) can also affect this number of connections.

The series connection maintains the same amperage by increasing the voltage of the solar array. This is important for solar systems, as it requires a certain voltage for the inverter to function properly. On the other hand, parallel connection maintains the same voltage while increasing the amperage, allowing more solar panels to be used without exceeding the inverter’s voltage limits or amperage limitations.

Quality of Pv Cables

Cables are one of the most important parts of PV systems and can have serious consequences if not selected correctly.

In the medium and long term, incorrect cable choices can lead to insufficient performance of the cable, major financial losses and even fires. Making the right cable selection is vital to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the PV system.

Artificial Intelligence Software MapperX

MapperX aims to improve the efficiency of solar power plants. Using field data and analysis power, this software quickly and accurately detects malfunctions in solar power plants and reports solutions to problems that prevent the plants from generating electricity.

Heat distributions of PV panels scanned using unmanned aerial vehicles are analyzed quickly and reliably without damaging the system. MapperX statistically analyzes the heat distributions of the surfaces for fault detection in solar panels.

Thanks to MapperX software, the rate of return on investment increases, costs are reduced and time is saved. All these advantages are realized in accordance with occupational health and safety rules. Visit the website to learn more about “Solar Power Plants are the Future of Renewable Energy