Solar Panel Wire Management: Why It’s So Important
One of the best things you can do for the long-term success of a photovoltaic (PV) system is to prioritize wire management during the installation process.
Cables and wires are often overlooked in many applications, and solar panels are no different. Since these systems are installed in nearly every type of climate and environment, a proper solar panel wire management plan is crucial to keep maintenance costs low and safety standards high. Here’s everything you need to know about solar cable management:
Solar Cable Management
Solar wire management is the practice of properly routing and protecting the system’s wires and cables. While there are no ironclad regulations for solar panels, the National Electric Code — NEC 110.12 — states that, “electrical equipment shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner.”
The most efficient way to do this is with a solar cable management plan. Weather-resistant cable ties are engineered to support the life of a solar panel system by withstanding fluctuations in temperature, moisture and intense UV exposure.
Why You Should Prioritize Solar Wire Management
Solar Power World states that wires are usually the first part of a solar panel system to fail, and are not covered in most standard warranties. Owners often do not realize the cable ties have gone bad until the panels have incurred costly damage or have been compromised unnecessarily. Should this happen, you could be dealing with frequent service calls and hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars in repair costs.
At the same time, the quality of the cable ties used to manage your solar panel wires is key to the overall longevity of the system itself. Problems with solar or heat panels most often occur with the fastening system breaking or loosening, not with the performance of the panels themselves.
What if Wire Management Isn’t Prioritized?
During the installation process, solar panel wires don’t often receive the necessary amount of attention. But it’s important to remember that solar panels are at the mercy of their environment.
Climate, rodents, weather conditions and other factors can easily damage wires that are not properly secured, which can lead to system downtime and costly repairs. In addition, solar panels that are not installed in proper alignment and secured in place could shift or even fall, which will lead to performance and safety issues.
Solar Panel Wire Management Tips
Since there is no current industry standard for solar panel wire management, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here are a few tips to help you plan your wire management:
- Don’t Skimp on Installation Costs – Solar Builder Magazine states that “the long-term system and maintenance costs that result from poor wire management practices far outweigh the effort required to implement a proper solution.” In other words, the more you put into the installation process, the better off your panels will be in the long run.
- Properly Label & Group Wires – Whether you use color-coded cable ties or identification tags, labeling your wires will make finding the right one a much quicker process. You may need to identify certain wires when troubleshooting, during routine maintenance or in the event of an emergency.
- Use the Right Materials – Wires should be grouped in corrosion, UV and weather-resistant cable ties that are the right size and tensile strengths. Nylon cable ties are formulated to withstand various weather conditions and are the most popular choice for solar panel applications.
Your project might also require additional support from solar wire management clips, mounting rails or cable trays. When purchasing these products, be cautious knowing that generically rated materials can easily become worn down by the environment and are not a long-term solution.
Nelco’s weather-resistant nylon cable ties are ideal for any application that requires protection from temperature fluctuations ranging from -40 to 198°F. Available in lengths from 5” to 27”, these products are also resistant to chemical and salt corrosion. Contact us to get a quote for your project.
