High Concealment, High Rescue Difficulty:
In BIPV (Building-Integrated Photovoltaics) projects, solar systems are widely used in residential and commercial rooftops, which are often high-traffic areas. The components are embedded into the building structure (such as curtain walls and rooftops), with wiring points being concealed and dispersed. Traditional arc fault detection systems struggle to locate faults in such settings.
No Zero-Crossing, Amplified Thermal Effects:
Once a DC arc fault occurs, it cannot extinguish on its own, generating sustained high temperatures that can ignite building insulation materials (e.g., color-coated steel tiles, cable sheaths). If a fault happens, it can burn through the building roof, posing a significant risk to both the structure and personal safety.
String level Arc Interrupter
String-level arc fault protection devices provide proactive safety measures, acting as the first line of defense for personnel safety.
Key Features of String-Level Arc Protection:
Precise Detection and Fast Shutdown:
Moving from “passive protection” to “intelligent anticipation,” the string-level arc protector continuously monitors series and parallel arcs within the strings. It accurately locates the faulty string and shuts it down in milliseconds, allowing unaffected strings to continue generating electricity.Intelligent Diagnosis and Real-Time Monitoring:
With integrated 1600-meter communication capability (PLC version), the system can monitor each string's arc occurrences and current data in real time. It provides remote monitoring and health diagnostics, generating a “safety profile” for the plant. This feature allows managers in commercial BIPV projects to monitor the health of each string through a platform, upgrading the arc protector from a simple “safety switch” to a “data hub.”Convenient Installation and Maximized Benefits:
No major modifications to the original electrical structure or wiring are required. Simply adding a string-level protector allows for effective arc protection. This design significantly reduces construction costs, lowers retrofitting expenses, and shortens installation time. Moreover, when faults occur, the system cuts off the faulty string without affecting the operation of healthy strings, ensuring that the plant’s economic performance is maintained.
Real-Life Cases: How String-Level Arc Protection Solutions Empower Different Scenarios
Case 1: BIPV Commercial Rooftop Distributed System
Type: Office buildings, manufacturing plant PV systems
Scale: Nearly 100 string-level arc protectors used
Requirement: Achieve arc fault protection for rooftop power generation, support visualization of current and arc protection frequency, significantly improve installation redundancy, and ensure the safety of both office and production environments.
Case 2: Existing Plant Retrofitting Project
Type: Lightweight components on commercial rooftops
Scale: Nearly 800 string arc protectors upgraded
Requirement: For existing plants, the need to install easily, control string arc risks, predict fault points, and quickly shut down arcs to avoid inverter shutdown, which could lead to greater energy losses. Fonrich's solution enables arc fault visualization and active defense.
Case 3: Ground-Mounted Solar Plant Project
Type: Large mountain-based ground-mounted solar power plant
Scale: Nearly 2000 string-level arc protectors applied
Requirement: In ground-mounted solar plant combiner box scenarios, solve the safety risks of aging due to long-term operation. Fonrich's string-level arc protectors safeguard against arc risks in photovoltaic arrays, predict fault points, and ensure intelligent monitoring and precise string-level fault localization.
The Evolution of BIPV Systems: “Efficient, Intelligent, and Safe”
In the evolutionary path of BIPV systems, arc fault protection has become an essential safety design feature. This is especially crucial in high-traffic areas such as commercial complexes, public buildings, and projects with stringent fire safety regulations. In these scenarios, the deployment of arc fault protection solutions is not only a compliance requirement but also an active guarantee of both personal and property safety.
Fonrich New Energy provides reliable and intelligent safety solutions for the BIPV photovoltaic era through innovative products, ensuring that photovoltaic systems operate securely and efficiently across a range of environments.
