Highway photovoltaics: urgent safety challenge

Driven by the global "dual-carbon" goals, the energy transition is accelerating, and the innovative model of "photovoltaics + expressways" is emerging as a highlight in the field of green transportation. The idle spaces along expressways—such as the rooftops of service areas and toll stations, slopes, ramp loops, and tunnel isolation belts—once overlooked resources, are now being "lit up" by photovoltaic panels, transforming into "energy arteries." However, this innovative model comes with both opportunities and challenges, especially in terms of safety, which faces risks that cannot be ignored.

Core Risks in Expressway Photovoltaic Scenarios

DC High-Voltage Fire Hazards

Data shows that over 50% of photovoltaic fires are caused by DC arcs. In the special scenario of expressways, collisions from traffic accidents may damage photovoltaic modules and expose electrodes, instantly triggering arc sparks, with an extremely high risk of fire spread.

Impeded Emergency Rescue

Traditional photovoltaic systems lack the ability to quickly shut down DC high voltage. In the event of a fire, rescuers face a high risk of electric shock, significantly delaying the fire-fighting opportunity and resulting in incalculable losses.

Difficulty in Fault Location

Expressway photovoltaic strings typically span several kilometers. Manually inspecting fault points (such as arcs or broken wires) is both time-consuming and labor-intensive, potentially leading to significant power generation losses and a substantial increase in operation and maintenance costs.

Fonrich New Energy's Innovative Solutions

Facing these challenges, Fonrich New Energy, relying on innovative technologies, has launched module-level safety protectors and string-level arc protection solutions, providing dual safety protection for expressway photovoltaic projects.

Fonrich Module-Level Safety Protector: Safeguarding Every Module

The Fonrich module-level safety protector features three core functions, ensuring full-dimensional protection from modules to the system.

• Module-Level Rapid Shutdown: Through remote or manual operation, the Fonrich module-level rapid shutdown device can instantly cut off the connections between each photovoltaic module, reducing the system voltage to a safe range. This function buys precious time for fire rescue and emergency handling, effectively eliminating the risk of high-voltage electric shock.
• Module-Level Arc Protection: The system monitors series, parallel, and ground arcs in real-time. When an arc fault is detected, it immediately cuts off the faulty module to prevent the spread of fire.
• Intelligent Monitoring: By collecting real-time key data such as voltage, current, power generation, and temperature of each module, the Fonrich solution can accurately locate faulty modules, significantly reducing operation and maintenance costs. Meanwhile, the intelligent data management platform makes the operation of photovoltaic power stations more transparent and efficient.

Fonrich String-Level Arc Protection: Full-Scope Monitoring, Cutting Off Risk Chains in Seconds

Tailored to the renovation of old projects and the special needs of expressway scenarios, Fonrich's string-level arc protection solution provides a more comprehensive solution.

• Full-Scope Monitoring and Precise Location: It detects series and parallel arcs at the string level in real-time, enabling rapid identification of arc faults. Even in the face of loose wires in expressway photovoltaic strings caused by vibration and sand erosion, it can accurately locate the source of the fault.
• Cost Savings and Worry-Free Renovation: There is no need for large-scale modifications to the original electrical structure and wiring. Simply adding a protector at the string end can achieve arc protection, greatly reducing renovation costs and shortening the construction period.
• Zero Interference to Power Generation and Maximized Benefits: When a fault occurs, the system only shuts down the faulty string, while other strings can still generate electricity normally. This avoids the power generation loss caused by the "one-size-fits-all" shutdown of traditional solutions, ensuring the economic benefits of the power station.