PV is ‘king’ of power markets according to IEA in 2020
PV systems prove themselves to be one of the most favored sources of alternative energy reaching about the same level as wind capacity worldwide according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.
545MWp were installed only in the UK in 2020, representing a 25% year-on-year growth compared to 2019, making 2020 the strongest year for solar deployment since 2017.
“I see solar becoming the new king of the world’s electricity markets. Based on today’s policy settings, it is on track to set new records for deployment every year after 2022,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol.
PV systems are extremely safe under normal operating conditions if installed and maintained by professionals according to electrical regulations and guidelines and do not inherently pose a danger to people or property.
However, it is important to remember that during daylight, PV panels and cables are energised with high DC voltages. Without taking the proper precautions, these high DC voltages can present electrocution risks to installers, maintenance personnel, and firefighters.
The most common solar PV incidents are electric arcs. In a PV system, arcs may be caused by loose terminals, poor contact, broken cables, aging, carbonized, or damaged insulation materials, or damp and corrosive wires.
High-quality smart and reliable solar PV solution
As energy efficiency specialists with over 22 years of expertise, Ecolution understood that as technology continues to advance, it is crucial to comply with local safety standards, address the needs of the system owner, and explore available products on the market when planning PV sites, in order to provide maximum safety.
With the fast-paced technological evolution and product development with AI integrated features, running renewable electricity generation technologies such as PV systems will have an increased focus on systems safety and performance.
At the design phase of the project development process, we assess the best manufacturer option for the client depending on a series of technical aspects. The design phase of a solar PV system offers the greatest opportunities to implement improvements that can cover the entire life-cycle of the PV system.
Ecolution choice of manufacturers includes Huawei and SunPower, two renowned names in the solar industry.
Huawei Fusion Solar solution offers integrated AI-powered DC arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) inverters to improve PV safety. With its AI capability, AFCI can detect and determine the occurrence of arcs accurately and reliably, and effectively turn off the grid-tied switch to eliminate arcs and prevent fire.
SunPower Maxeon AC panels function independently, making the whole system more reliable, and the rooftop more productive due to advanced microinverter technology. With conventional technology, the system performs only as well as its weakest panel. The microinverter converts high-voltage DC electricity into low-voltage AC on the roof. The solar panel and microinverter are combined at the factory eliminating extra wiring steps and the chance for electrical issues.
With the emphasis on innovative smart technologies to provide the highest safety installation standards and long-term operability, smart PV solutions are created to satisfy the customers’ increasing demand for safe, robust, and future-proofed green electricity generation.