An Overview of International and Regional Standards for Offshore Photovoltaic Cables

Innoitroduction

Offshore photovoltaic (PV) systems are emerging as a promising solution for clean energy generation. Offshore PV cables play a crucial role in transmitting the electricity generated by offshore solar panels to on - shore substations. To ensure the safety, reliability, and performance of these cables, various international and regional standards have been established.

Insdrternational Standards

IEC Standards

• IEC 62930: This international standard focuses on the safety requirements for PV cables in general. Although it is not specifically tailored for offshore applications, it provides a fundamental framework for cable design, construction, and testing. For offshore PV cables, aspects such as electrical insulation, mechanical strength, and fire resistance specified in IEC 62930 are still highly relevant.
• IEC 60228: Deals with the conductor materials and their properties. In offshore PV cables, the choice of conductors is critical due to the harsh marine environment. This standard helps in determining the appropriate conductor cross - sectional area, conductivity, and other electrical properties to ensure efficient power transmission.

IEEE Standards

• IEEE 1547: This standard is related to the interconnection and interoperability of distributed energy resources, including offshore PV systems. It indirectly affects the requirements for offshore PV cables by setting guidelines on power quality, voltage regulation, and frequency control. Offshore PV cables need to be designed to meet these electrical performance criteria to ensure seamless integration with the power grid.

Regional Standards

European Standards

• EN 50618: Widely used in Europe for PV cables. For offshore applications, it has additional considerations such as protection against saltwater corrosion. European offshore PV projects often require cables to comply with this standard to ensure high - quality and reliable operation in the marine environment.
• DNV - GL Standards: DNV - GL is a well - known classification society in the maritime industry. Their standards for offshore PV cables cover aspects like cable installation, maintenance, and long - term durability in the harsh offshore conditions. These standards are often adopted in European and other international offshore PV projects.

Asian Standards

• Chinese Standards: China has been actively promoting offshore PV development. Chinese standards for offshore PV cables take into account the unique environmental conditions in the Asia - Pacific region, such as high humidity, strong typhoons, and large temperature variations. These standards ensure that the cables can withstand these extreme conditions and provide reliable power transmission.
• Japanese Standards: Japan, with its advanced technology and high - quality requirements, has its own set of standards for offshore PV cables. These standards focus on ensuring the safety and performance of cables in the Japanese offshore environment, which may have specific requirements related to seismic activity and ocean currents.

North American Standards

• UL 4703: In North America, UL 4703 is the main standard for PV cables. For offshore applications, it may be supplemented with additional requirements related to the marine environment, such as protection against salt spray and wave impact. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) also has guidelines that affect the operation and safety of offshore PV systems, which in turn influence the cable standards.

Impact of Standards on Offshore PV Cable Design and Manufacturing

Material Selection

• Insulation Materials: Standards often dictate the use of specific insulation materials that can resist the corrosive effects of saltwater, UV radiation, and other environmental factors. For example, some standards may require the use of cross - linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation for its excellent electrical and mechanical properties in the offshore environment.
• Jacket Materials: The outer jacket of offshore PV cables needs to be highly resistant to abrasion, impact, and chemical attack. Standards guide manufacturers in selecting appropriate jacket materials such as thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) or polyurethane (PU) for enhanced protection.

Cable Construction

• Stranding and Shielding: Standards may specify the stranding pattern of conductors to improve flexibility and reduce the risk of breakage during installation and operation. Shielding requirements are also defined to protect the cables from electromagnetic interference and to ensure the safety of the PV system.

Testing and Certification

• Type Tests: Offshore PV cables need to undergo a series of type tests as required by the standards. These tests include electrical performance tests, mechanical tests (such as tensile and bending tests), and environmental tests (such as salt - spray and UV - aging tests).
• Certification Bodies: To prove compliance with the standards, cables need to be certified by recognized certification bodies. In Europe, TÜV is a well - known certification body, while in North America, UL certification is widely accepted.

FAQ

• Q: Do all offshore PV projects around the world need to comply with international standards?
  A: While international standards provide a common framework, regional and national standards may also be applicable depending on the location of the project. In some cases, a combination of international and regional standards may be required to ensure the safety and performance of offshore PV cables.
• Q: How do standards for offshore PV cables differ from those for on - shore PV cables?
  A: Offshore PV cables need to withstand more severe environmental conditions, such as saltwater corrosion, strong waves, and high - energy storms. Therefore, the standards for offshore PV cables often have more stringent requirements for material durability, mechanical strength, and protection against environmental factors compared to on - shore PV cables.
• Q: Can a cable that meets European standards be used in an Asian offshore PV project?
  A: It depends on whether the cable also meets the relevant Asian standards. Although there may be some similarities between European and Asian standards, Asian standards may have specific requirements related to the local environment, such as typhoon resistance in Southeast Asia or seismic activity in Japan. Additional testing and certification may be required to ensure compliance.

Hualan Technology was founded in 2020, is a collection of solar accessories production, sales, research and development and service as one of the high - tech enterprises. At present, the business covers the production and sales of solar photovoltaic cables, photovoltaic cable connectors, photovoltaic BIPV special wiring harness adapters and photovoltaic link applications.

As an important part of offshore PV systems, these solar accessories produced by Hualan Technology need to comply with relevant international and regional standards for offshore photovoltaic cables to ensure the overall performance and safety of the system.