Solar power plants are a set of equipment that includes solar panels, controllers, batteries, inverters and other devices. All elements of the system are connected into a single whole using wires and cables. This is an important part of a solar power plant; the safety, durability and efficiency of the solar power plant depend on their quality, proper selection and installation.

The conditions in which cable products have to work can be called extreme, since solar panels and other equipment are installed outdoors (on the ground, on the facades and roofs of buildings), and accordingly the cables are exposed to moisture, ultraviolet radiation, temperature changes, and mechanical stress.

The cable for connecting solar panels consists of a group of copper wires united by a common sheath, each wire is protected by insulation, which must meet the following requirements:

• inability to maintain combustion,
• resistance to temperature changes from – 30 to + 120°C,
• resistance to adverse weather conditions – rain, snow, wind, sun,
• presence of a large margin of safety,
• elasticity for ease of use.

What to look for when choosing cables?

When choosing cable products for a solar power plant, you need to pay attention to its technical parameters.

• Cable cross-section

The cable cross-section for solar panels is the diameter of the wire without insulation, measured in mm². The service life, power and maximum load depend on this indicator. If the cross-section is smaller than required, the cable will simply burn out as a result of overvoltage. If the cross-section is larger than required, then losses of electrical energy will inevitably occur due to high resistance.

To determine what wire gauge is needed for a solar panel, you need to know:

• the maximum power consumed by the inverter, or the maximum current that the inverter uses,
• length of wires from the inverter to the battery.

The maximum power or maximum current is indicated by manufacturers in the technical documentation; the length of the wires is measured independently.

• Length of cable

The voltage loss depends on this parameter. The cable length should be chosen so that the voltage loss does not exceed 2%. If you choose the correct cable length, you can achieve a significant reduction in energy losses.

To increase the service life and increase the reliability of the solar power plant, you should choose high-quality cable products and contact professionals for installation work.

Opportunities of REENERGO company

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