Solar energy technology will become one of the green energy technologies in the future. With the increasingly complex usage environment of photovoltaic power stations, the requirements for photovoltaic cables are also getting higher and higher. If ordinary cables are used, the protective sheath of ordinary cables has poor UV resistance, which leads to the aging of the outer sheath of the cable, affects the service life of the cable, and may cause problems such as cable short circuit, fire alarm or personal injury. So, what requirements should photovoltaic cables meet?

I. Requirements for resistance to sunlight and ultraviolet rays

Requirement: Many cables in photovoltaic power stations are laid bare. Most of the cables from solar modules to combiner boxes and even inverters are directly laid bare. This requires that the cables must be able to withstand sunlight and ultraviolet radiation and ensure long-term normal operation under vertical sunlight and ultraviolet radiation. Application environment: Qinghai, Xizang, Xinjiang, Gobi Desert and desert areas.

Ii. Requirements for resistance to sunlight and ultraviolet rays

Requirements for sunlight and UV resistance in application environments: Special requirements for special areas such as beaches, mudflats, and salt fields: Photovoltaic cables suitable for such environments use tin-plated copper conductors, which enhance the oxidation resistance and corrosion resistance of the conductors. The salt spray test shall be carried out in accordance with GB/T2423.17-2008, and the acid and alkali test shall be conducted in accordance with GB/T2951.12-2008.

Iii. Requirements for High and Low Temperature Characteristics

Low-temperature resistance: In winter, the temperature in the western and northern regions is relatively low, with extreme areas reaching around minus 40 degrees Celsius. This requires the cable to have good low-temperature resistance.

High-temperature resistance: The surface temperature in the eastern and southern regions can easily reach above +70℃, and in areas with poor heat dissipation, the extreme temperature may exceed +90℃. This requires that the material temperature of the cable can meet the operational requirements of the power station under extreme temperatures.

Iv. Requirements for Ozone Corrosion Resistance

Special requirements: The power station should be installed in areas with high ozone content. Ozone has a certain corrosive effect on the cable protective layer, accelerating the aging of the protective layer and affecting the use of the cable. Conventional cables do not take into account the impact of ozone on the cable sheath, while the design of photovoltaic cables does. Compliance with the standard: GB/T2951.21-2008 stipulates the ozone resistance test. GB/T2951.21-2008 stipulates the ozone resistance test. The application environment of photovoltaic power stations is complex, and the quality of cables determines whether they can operate safely for a long time. Photovoltaic dedicated cables will become an important guarantee for the long-term operation and stable income of power stations!

V. Requirements for Moisture-proof and heat-resistant properties

Application environment: In fish-solar complementary projects, many power stations are directly built on fish ponds or water surfaces, and it is required that the cables operate normally for a long time in a humid environment. Frequent changes in temperature and humidity directly affect the aging of the insulation and protective layers of materials.

Special requirements: Considering the influence of a humid and hot environment on the aging performance of insulating sheath materials, the selected insulating sheath materials should maintain a temperature of +90℃ and a humidity of 85%. Tests shall be conducted in accordance with the methods specified in GB/T2423.3-2006. After the tests, the reduction rate of tensile strength and elongation at break of the insulation and sheath shall not exceed 30%.