Silent Saboteur is Stealing Your Solar Dreams

Have you ever gazed upon a vast field of solar panels, shimmering under the sun? Have you felt a surge of optimism for a clean energy future? It is a truly inspiring vision. A silent threat lurks beneath that pristine surface. A thief slowly stealing your solar dreams. HEAT!

The power source that fuels your PV system can become its Achilles′ heel. Even finely crafted sword can melt in a blacksmith′s forge. Excessive heat accelerates the degradation of your system′s components. Cables become brittle. Connectors crack. Encapsulants lose their grip. Over time, your solar warriors morph into weary veterans. Their efficiency is dwindling with each passing day.

Meet Svante Arrhenius

He was the Swedish scientist awarded with the Nobel Prize in 1903. He proved it decades ago. The effect of temperature on the velocity of a chemical reaction. In other words, heat wrecks materials faster. The hotter your system runs, the quicker it crumbles. Simple science. So frequently ignored! Every 10°C increase in temperature, slashes a polymeric material′s lifespan by 1/2! It is like the heat gremlins are working overtime. They chip away the integrity of your system with each degree.

See the graph:

First of all, wherever you see a temperature range, it must be followed with time sequence. Defining the temperature range only is nothing else than empty words. The temperature itself does not say anything. In this particular case, the lifetime of a cable insulation has been selected. The target operation time is based on 200.000hours while the temperature is settled at 90°C. Full load was calculated at 120°C. The time-frame lays at 20.000hours (blue & green dotted lines). Yellow line settled at 130°C shows very clearly that the lifetime of the polymeric material will be 50% lower - 10.000hours.

"Sauna" Elements in the Array

Cable networks. The most underestimated part of the PV array. Think of cables as the arteries of your PV system. Cramming cables together in a trench like sardines is a recipe for overheating. Who needs proper sizing and management when you can just wing it and risk a fire? Proper cable management, ensuring adequate spacing and ventilation, is like switching the AC on. Allow a smooth flow temperature, and reduce the risk of overheating.

Junction box. The brain of each solar module. Junction boxes frequently succumb to the heat′s wrath. Lousy & poorly designed j-boxes lack the necessary cooling mechanisms. They are turning themselves into miniaturized saunas for the plastics used. Invest in well-designed products. Think of them as air-conditioned control centers. They shall keep your system′s brain cool & functioning optimally.

Installation mistakes. Another gremlin in disguise. Improper connections create resistance, which converts to heat. It is like trying to force a square peg into a round hole. Inefficient and ultimately damaging. Skilled installation ensures a smooth flow of energy. Minimizing its resistance and keeping your system running cool & efficient. Be aware! Most of the mistakes happening during the installations are (in)directly involved in increased resistance/heat. Are you sure your installers know about those risks? Provide them a workshop one more time. There will always be surprised faces around there.

Hot spots. They appear to be so innocent in an early stage. Hot spots are like a cancer. When you visibly see the damage, it is too late already. Those localized areas of intense heat are like miniature solar flares. They wreak havoc on surrounding polymeric materials, other components, accelerating their demise. Regular thermal inspections can help identify these hot spots. It will allow you to address the root cause and prevent further damage.

Wrap-up

Adopt relevant preventive measures. You can transform your PV system from a potential victim into a heat-fighting hero. Pay attention to proper design, installation and maintenance. Those are your weapons in this battle.

Remember! PV system that runs cool is a PV system that lasts. Invest in proper heat management strategies and watch your solar warriors continue to generate clean energy for years ahead.

Remember: Each 10°C in addition = slashing the lifetime by 50%!!

Want to learn more about keeping your solar system cool & combating the heat gremlins? Don′t let your solar dreams turn to dust! I am here to help you wage war on heat and protect your solar dreams!