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PV system solutions for utility-scale plants
From DC cabling to the combiner box, we treat the utility-scale PV plant as an overall system and tailor every product configuration to your project. The result: lower CapEx and OpEx, with components designed for up to 25 years of operation and predictable O&M effort.
Innovations for profitability, maintenance and safety
Solutions for the DC side of your utility-scale PV plant
On the DC side of a utility-scale PV plant, the current from all modules flows via strings and cable harnesses to the inverter – combined in combiner boxes in the case of central inverters. This is where design and component quality determine installation effort, availability and yield.
Cabling and combiner box interlock. We develop both as a coherent solution: HISkon+ for pre-assembled cabling, the HISbox® as a project-specific DC combiner box for 1500 V with up to 32 string inputs.
Engineering expertise
We look at the plant as a whole: module tables, inverter locations and grid connection determine how the DC side is built. Together with EPCs and planners, we develop the right BoS components from this.
Configurability
Every project has specific requirements. We configure combiner boxes and cable harnesses to match – from the number of strings and protection components to integrated string monitoring.
Project logistics
We deliver just-in-time directly to the construction site: cable harnesses string by string on clearly marked drums, palletised and in line with construction progress. Nothing is stored on site longer than necessary.
Two components, one system: HISkon+ and HISbox®
Matched to each other, both solutions reduce interfaces on the construction site and installation effort. This lowers O&M costs and improves the plant's profitability.
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Specific questions about the DC side of your utility-scale PV plant? We will clarify them in a personal conversation and discuss the right product configuration for your project.
Highlights of our DC system solutions
Factory-assembled copper-aluminium cable harnesses reduce DC cabling costs by up to 35 %. Lower copper consumption also reduces transport weight, and factory-tested transitions ensure quality.
The 1500 V solar cable according to EN 50618 and IEC 62930 is the basis of HISkon+® and is also available for manual cabling. Usable from -40 °C to +90 °C, water-resistant and with continuous metre marking for installation. Also suitable for laying underground – without additional protection, provided the laying specifications are observed.
For floating plants, the DC cabling is specially tested: HIKRA® SOL is certified according to TÜV 2 PfG 2750 (PV 1500-WR) and impresses with high water resistance and increased mechanical stability. HISkon+® ALU reduces the weight of the cabling, with factory-tested, watertight and UV-resistant copper-aluminium transitions.
Cable insulation is exposed to environmental influences and ages. The HISbox® measures insulation resistance during operation and indicates a possible risk of short circuit to earth at an early stage. This shortens troubleshooting, saves time and costs and keeps outages small – especially when many combiner boxes are connected to one inverter.
At 1500 V DC, the requirements for system protection increase. HISbox® Arc Fault Detection monitors strings and busbar for arc faults and combines detection with string monitoring. This allows risks to be identified early and operation to be made safe.
The string monitoring integrated into the HISbox® measures current, voltage and temperature using Hall sensor technology and provides the data via Modbus RTU (RS485), LoRa or WiFi. Power is supplied by an integrated DC/DC converter directly from the 1500 V circuit. This enables operators to detect anomalies early, plan maintenance proactively and optimise plant performance.
Solutions for the AC side of your ground-mounted plant
On the AC side, protection and switching technology are the focus. HIS offers solutions that combine the inverters' output, distribute it clearly and route it to the grid connection point – with storage integration if required.
The AC combiner box combines the output of several string inverters and is designed for up to 1000 V AC.
The HISbox Grid and Plant Protection performs the grid and plant protection functions between the grid connection point and the inverter, designed in accordance with VDE-AR-N 4105 and 4110.
The HISbox Smart Power & Metering includes an integrated AC combiner and offers real-time monitoring and control.
Coffrets structure the AC cable routing and create clear transfer points between inverters, combiner boxes and main distribution.
The low-voltage main distribution board (LVMDB) combines the feeds of several combiner boxes and distributes them to the grid connection point.
The right solution for your plant concept
With string inverters or as a hybrid plant with storage solution.
Frequently asked questions
With central inverters, the DC combiner box combines the strings at DC level upstream of the inverter. With string inverters, it is not needed; here the AC combiner box collects the AC outputs of several inverters. In both concepts, HISkon+® cables the strings from the module tables to the combiner box or directly to the inverter.
As early as possible, because the number of strings, current rating, protection components, monitoring and communication are defined for each project. The process: enquiry, engineering support, digital order management, production and tested delivery ex works.
The cable harnesses are cut to the exact length and assembled at the factory, and the crimp and screw connections are tested. On site, there is no need for cutting to length, crimping or special tools, and no cable waste is produced. Clear labelling of the cables also saves time during installation.
The HISbox® Utility Scale combines up to 32 strings at 1500 V DC. 12 or 16 string inputs with up to 20 A per string are typical. For higher currents, high-current variants with 35 to 80 A per string are available. We define the exact configuration together with you for each project.
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Are you planning a ground-mounted plant? Send us your project data and we will create the right configuration for your requirements.
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