In our previous post, we provided readers with a handy guide to home solar panels. Here we will continue this theme by providing you with a separate guide to solar cables.
Solar cables, as the name suggests, are conduits for the transmission of electricity. If you are new to PV systems, it is vital to learn the basics.
Read on to learn more about this type of cable, including how they work, what they are used for, and how to choose the right cable.
Solar cable in photovoltaic system
As long as there is electricity, there must be wires and cables. Photovoltaic systems are no exception.
Wires and cables play an important role in getting the best performance from electrical systems. In the case of photovoltaic systems, the need for high quality solar wires and cables becomes extremely important.
Photovoltaic systems consist of one or more solar panels combined with inverters and other hardware. It uses solar energy to generate electricity.
To get the most out of the sun, a photovoltaic system or solar panel needs to work “intact” and in order. One of the important components is the solar cable.
What are they?
Solar cables are designed to transmit DC solar energy through photovoltaic systems. They are used as interconnecting cables for solar panels and photovoltaic arrays in a solar grid.
They have high mechanical strength and can withstand harsh weather conditions. In solar projects, solar cables are mostly laid outside and exposed to high temperatures.
During their long life span of about 20 to 25 years, they can face harsh environments. Therefore, it is important to equip your solar system with high quality solar wires and cables.
Solar cables are classified based on the number of wires and their specifications. In addition, the diameter also depends on the number of wires and their specifications.
Generally speaking, there are three types of solar cables used in photovoltaic systems:
Dc solar cable
Solar DC main cable
Solar ac cable
Types of solar cable
In solar power projects, different types of cables are needed to get the job done. Both DC and AC cables can be used.
The photovoltaic panel and the inverter, including the junction box, are connected via a DC cable. At the same time, the inverter and the sub-station are connected by AC cable.
1. Dc solar cable
Dc solar cables are single-core copper cables with insulation and sheathed. They are used inside photovoltaic solar panels and can be module cables or string cables.
In addition, they come with suitable connectors and are pre-built into the panel. Therefore, you will not be able to change them.
In some cases, you will need a string of DC solar cables to connect it to the other panels.
2. Main solar DC cable
The main DC cable is a large power collector cable. They connect the generator junction box to the positive and negative cables of the central inverter.
In addition, they can be single or double core cables. Single core wire with double insulation is a practical solution to provide high reliability. At the same time, the connection between the solar inverter and the generator junction box, the best use of dual-core DC cable.
Experts generally prefer outdoor installation of DC solar main cables. Sizes are usually 2mm, 4mm and 6mm.
Note: To avoid problems such as short circuit and grounding, it is recommended that cables with opposite polarity be routed separately.
3. Ac cable
Ac cables connect the solar inverter to protection equipment and the power grid. For small PV systems with three-phase inverters, a five-core AC cable is used to connect to the grid.
The distribution of wires is as follows:
Three live wires,
One ground wire and one neutral wire.
Tip: If your PV system has a single-phase inverter, use a three-core AC cable.
The importance of solar cable in PV projects
As mentioned earlier, solar cables transmit DC solar energy from one part of the photovoltaic device to another. Proper cable management is critical when it comes to the safety and longevity of each PV system.
The installation of cables in solar projects is subject to ultraviolet radiation, extreme temperatures and air humidity. They can withstand the harsh demands of photovoltaic systems — both indoor and outdoor.
In addition, these cables are not only strong, but also weather resistant. They can withstand stresses from pressure, bending or stretching, and chemical stresses in the form of:
Choose the right solar cable for your PV system
Solar cables should be adequate for the most demanding PV system applications. Choose a model that has the highest resistance to atmospheric challenges such as UV, ozone, and humidity.
Not only that, but the cable should be able to withstand harsh temperatures (-40°C to 120°C). There’s wear, impact, tearing and pressure.
One step further, the right kind of solar
Post time: Jan-03-2023