As part of our Wire and Cable Management Buyer’s Guide, we asked manufacturers for some installation tips. Here is what they had to say. Working off the roof. Installers are still doing most of the wire management assembly once they are up on the roof. We have seen several installersRead More

Whether you build, operate or own utility-scale PV, managing costs while ensuring quality is top of mind for all involved. At first glance, cable management might not be as critical as modules or central inverters. Over time, cable management issues — specifically cable tie failures — can affect a site’sRead More

Wire and cable management decisions can seem small, but they have both short- and long-term ramifications, from boosting installation efficiencies and cutting site-prep costs to reducing O&M burdens and improving a project’s levelized cost of energy (LCOE). We reached out to providers of wire and cable management systems for residentialRead More

HellermannTyton’s Wire Management for Single Axis Trackers white paper has been updated to include extensive commentary on bifacial modules as well as modules with split J boxes. The publication provides industry insights and guidance on best practices for installers, site owners and MROs. “As the utility scale solar market evolves,Read More

When we talk about wire management and the code, it is easy to meet the basics of the NEC: neat and orderly, secured every 2 to 4 feet, proper bend radius, among others. But meeting the basics of the NEC tells a completely different story than having and executing aRead More

We asked wire management and electrical component providers to tell us about their latest and greatest products (inverters will be broken out into their own Buyer’s Guide next month). Trends in eBOS components right now include AC combiners, above ground cable management and heavy-duty clamps. Check them all out below.Read More

1. Cross-mating Cross-mating, which refers to the plugging of connectors from different manufacturers (between modules to optimizers/microinverters, modules to field-connectors, optimizers to field connectors or field connectors to the BOS system) is one of the most common PV wiring mistakes. In fact, the EU-funded Solar Bankability Project’s Failure Modes andRead More

Jan. 1, 2019, is almost upon us, which means the National Electric Code (NEC) 2017 is almost in effect. Not all jurisdictions will be up to speed (hell, some aren’t even up on NEC 2014 yet), but around 24 states will require compliance immediately. We asked a variety of manufacturersRead More

HellermannTyton, a specialist in the design and manufacture of robust solar fasteners, announces a high-performance Button Mount with Cable Tie and Locking Clamp. The two products fit the predrilled holes of most solar modules. They are rated for extended life in demanding outdoor environments and available for immediate shipping. TheRead More