HelioVolta has launched “PV Connectors: The State of the Field,” a brand new report that highlights the persistent dangers of low-cost PV system parts, particularly connectors, to photo voltaic investments. The white paper particulars observations from over 5 GW of impartial area inspections performed by HelioVolta at tons of of utility and industrial photo voltaic initiatives in the USA.
For years, trade professionals have identified that improperly made connectors introduce important security dangers to PV methods. Since 2008, successive revisions to the Nationwide Electrical Code have aimed to scale back connector-related failures with new set up necessities. Almost 20 years later, little has modified: connector failures stay some of the widespread threats to PV system security and reliability.
“It’s absurd that one of many most cost-effective parts in a PV system is accountable for the trade’s most infamous failures,” stated David Penalva, CEO of HelioVolta. “We’re speaking a few greenback’s value of plastic and steel placing multimillion-dollar property — and other people — in danger. It’s unacceptable.”
The connector report analyzes area information, presents connector failure and remediation case research and shares connector danger mitigation ways for asset house owners, O&M suppliers and EPC groups.
Key findings from HelioVolta’s area inspections embody:
- 83% of initiatives inspected suffered from a minimum of one connector-related subject.
- 45% of websites had main connector points requiring pressing upkeep.
- 4.3% of initiatives confronted crucial connector failures requiring partial or whole system de-energization.
- The vast majority of points stemmed from preventable causes corresponding to improper set up.
These numbers sign rising urgency for asset house owners and managers, who endure elevated downtime, important upkeep prices and legal responsibility publicity when connector points go unresolved. For instance, the price of connector failure and remediation equaled 58% of a industrial photo voltaic portfolio’s annual revenues and 19% for utility energy plant.
The report additionally presents a transparent path ahead. HelioVolta outlines danger discount methods, corresponding to quantifying connector-based danger for various system configurations, connector varieties, and set up strategies in the course of the design part. Implementing procurement specs to make sure cross-brand compatibility of factory-made connectors additional reduces danger. Recognizing that product availability is usually restricted, HelioVolta delineates enhanced high quality management and O&M procedures for initiatives with higher-risk system configurations.
HelioVolta’s report notes that stopping connector failure additionally requires supporting EPC and O&M area groups with higher instruments, coaching and documentation strategies. Trainings should cowl correct set up strategies, measuring thermal anomalies (“scorching connectors”), and visible inspection pointers. Lastly, conducting third-party inspections of connectors throughout building and all through the venture lifecycle helps asset house owners guarantee the protection of their fleet over time.
“Correct connector set up is clearly vital, however assessing these parts at each preventive upkeep go to is simply as important,” stated Jesse Waters, CEO of Servist Power, an O&M supplier. “Since connector issues grow to be riskier as methods function, discovering and fixing points earlier than catastrophe strikes is one of the best ways to keep away from high-cost remediation campaigns.”
The report concludes by highlighting improvements within the connector area, together with the rise of crimpless connectors, efforts to standardize connector terminology led by Sandia Nationwide Laboratories and an initiative to develop a common connector customary from Nationwide Renewable Power Laboratory (NREL).
Information merchandise from HelioVolta
