Solar & EV Charging
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Enhancing solar installations with advanced cable management and protection solutions.
es Astley, UK renewables managezr at leading cable management manufacturer Atkore UK, which includes leading brands such as Unistrut, Marco and Flexicon, identifi es some of the areas to consider when specifying cable management systems and cable protection for solar installations.
Selecting the right solution can help to reduce installation time, provide easier accessibility and fl exibility when working on-site, and withstand the damaging eff ects of extremes of temperatures and UV radiation. With the UK government backing
environmentally sustainable solutions, renewable energy is clearly the future of our planet. In 2024, 33% of the world’s electricity is forecast to come from renewable energy, with solar being one of the main contributors.
Understanding the risks
Solar PV installations must contend with a variety of hazards due to their external nature and locations, with interconnected cabling subjected to prolonged exposure to UV radiation. Throughout the life of the installation, UV radiation will degrade materials, particularly plastics, unless consideration has been given to material type, quality and durability during the design and specifi cation. Failure could result in materials cracking, an increase in brittleness, less fl exibility and lower impact strength, which could subsequently result in system downtime or potential safety incidents.
Solar PV installations are subjected to higher temperatures by design, with cabling polymers becoming softer and losing mechanical strength due to the increasing heat.
Heat exposure will also gradually break down the wiring’s polymeric molecular chains, making the polymer stiff er, harder and more brittle. This process occurs faster as the temperature rises, and can aff ect the cabling’s fl exibility and impact strength, resulting in impaired function. For sun-tracking solar panels where cabling and conduits are subjected to continuous movement, this impaired fl exibility makes failure even more likely.
Whole life care
Prolonged exposure to UV radiation can result in incorrectly specifi ed protection systems
20 | electrical wholesalerApril 2024
Correct material specifi cation As a result, when specifying cable management
Divisible conduits, such as the Flexicon FPADS range, allow existing cabling to be inserted laterally via a slit opening. This product consists of two open conduit profi les, which then interlock to form a protected IP40 system around the cables.
becoming degraded or damaged, exposing cabling and leading to potential failure. The ensuing, unscheduled downtime caused by equipment breakdown can lead to far-reaching operational issues as solar installations are typically installed in remote or isolated locations and spread across large areas.
Consequently, from a practical perspective, physical fault fi nding and fi xing damaged solar cabling can, even with the advent of sophisticated remote monitoring technology, be quite diffi cult. Downtime results in lost revenue while remedial work is carried out and contractors are under pressure to get systems back online safely. If owners or operators are working from a payback deal, such disruption can often lead to penalty clauses being invoked.
and protection for solar cabling, UV performance should be prioritised. The fi rst consideration should concentrate on the cable management system that will be used. Typical systems, such as Atkore’s proven cable management portfolio, which includes cable tray, ladder and wiring basket solutions, are available in a range of materials designed to withstand exposure to the elements.
Steel provides strength, durability, and corrosion resistance and galvanised options can enhance resistance to rust and corrosion. Aluminium is another good alternative, where lightweight properties are required, but adequate strength and resistance to UV exposure is still a priority.
In some applications, stainless steel options can be specifi ed, particularly in applications where the system will also be exposed to the damaging eff ects of high moisture levels or the corrosive impact of salt spray, such as in marine environments for example.
Next, contractors should consider the material properties of the cable protection. This can be a complex process, particularly as many fl exible conduit manufacturers quote products to be ‘UV resistant.’ Customers should ask what this claim actually means, the duration of the UV resistance and the impact of global location. However, because there is no single recognised standard that UV resistance is tested
ewnews.co.uk
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