Renewable Energy
High quality photovoltaic installations at a low cost
Increasing automation in module manufacturing is cutting the cost of photovoltaic installations.
O
ne of the great challenges the photovoltaic (PV) industry is facing today is the trend towards providing high-quality PV installations at a low cost. One answer is the increasing
degree of automation in module manufacturing, reducing production costs while at the same time improving process reliability. Multi-Contact meets these requirements by
providing junction boxes designed for automated and semi-automated assembly. Te company itself has also begun to employ fully automated production facilities, eg for assembling solar cables and connectors. Another aspect is the simplified assembly of PV installations, eg by using branch cable leads or tool-free connectors. Here, too, Multi-Contact offers a number of suitable solutions: Multi-Contact’s branch cable leads PV-JB/BC are fitted to the individual requirements of the customer – either for a specific photovoltaic installation or as ‘endless leads’ for larger installations with regularly spaced modules. Te complete system is IP67 protected and comes pre-assembled with MC solar cables FLEX-SOL-XL and MC3 or MC4 connectors, 100 per cent tested. Te new photovoltaic connector MC4QUICK with integrated spring-clamp connection allows an easy, safe and quick installation on-site and provides a reliable contact and strain relief in a single step. Te connector has been designed for assembly without extra tools, to connect to inverters, feed lines, or to connecting leads between the pre-assembled module connections. It is suited for cable cross sections of 4mm², 6mm² and
Fig. 2. Branch cable leads PV-JB/BC.
10mm² and is IP65 and IP67 protected. Te snap-in- locking provides highly secure connections and can be unlocked by using a screwdriver.
Te new MC4PLUS connector currently comes pre- assembled with solar cables of cross sections 1.5mm², 2.5mm², and 4mm² and 6mm². Te snap-in lock can only be opened with a special tool and thus ensures maximum safety for the connection. Te new, compact PV junction box TwinBox by
Multi-Contact has been designed particularly for the automated production of thin film modules. Perfectly matched procedures and material provide a high level of process reliability. Integrating the MC4 connection technology directly into the box allows for its particularly small design. Tis way, the required amount of potting compound is reduced to a minimum. Short lines of connection help reduce module connection costs by saving cable material. Te flat design of the new, cost effective junction box PV-JB/WL for crystalline panels allows the installation immediately underneath the frame. Te 90° bending
Fig. 1. MC4PLUS, pre-assembled with solar cables.
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