ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. — Demand for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems is on the rise globally, in part due to the need to provide more electrical power at a lower cost and low CO2 emission.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecast for 2024, Renewable power capacity is set to expand by 50% between 2019 and 2024, led by solar PV that will alone account for almost 60% of the growth. Groud mount and rooftop PV installation is expected to grow from 630 GW to 1,500 GW globally by 2024.

One barrier to market growth is the high cost of panel installation. Standard mounting with typical nuts and bolts can stress the PV modules, leading to maintenance cost increases and durability concerns. Other challenges are:

• Carrying heavy tools around during assembly
• Installation time
• Safety issues caused by climbing on top of modules as well as potential damage to panel
• Loosening of panels requiring re-torque

ARaymond delivers solutions for solar

ARaymond’s panel clips simplify PV module assembly. They provide fast, easy installation in field operations, resulting in significant labor cost reduction compared to nuts and bolts.

The fastener installation requires no heavy tools and takes place underneath the system, eliminating the need to climb above the modules, reducing potential for employee injury and damage to the module. Clips have proven, long-term performance, and have been tested in both static and dynamic loading.

“With our clips, a customer in Australia recently set the world record for the fastest installation; a 130-Megawatt installation at 690 panels per person and per day (team of 3), with a slide and clip structure,” said Jean-Baptiste Chevrier, V.P. Sales & Marketing for ARaymond Energies.

Cable management is also a factor that may impact the overall installation and maintenance cost. Incorrect practices can lead to undesirable consequences, such as overheating.

Faulty PV wiring management practices are one of the leading technical failures encountered in PV projects, causing significant financial impact, sometimes more than 15 percent of the initial investment, according to Solar Bankability, a project funded by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 program.

ARaymond’s dedicated selection of robust metal and plastic clips, cable straps and adaptors avoid mechanical stress and strain, excessive heat when bundled, and water intrusion when attaching cables over, or on the side of module edges or structure rails.

They ensure a long-term solar installation, and in turn reduce potential risk to PV project investment.

About ARaymond Energies

ARaymond Energies believes in the importance of renewable energies for our future and is committed to developing breakthrough technologies in order to make the assembly process easier, faster, cheaper. The headquarters of ARaymond Energies are in Grenoble, France, with sales offices around the globe. We take pride in being able to leverage the 150 years of expertise of the ARaymond Network to develop unique and meaningful solutions, while being able to produce them in large quantities and standardize them.

About ARaymond

With more than 7,000 employees in 25 countries around the world, the ARaymond Network designs, manufactures and markets assembly and fastening systems. Founded in 1865, this family business based in Grenoble, France, and inventor of the press stud, has always put human values at the heart of its success. ARaymond, based on the conviction that the wellbeing and empowerment of its collaborators is essential to its continued success.  Guided by innovation and value creation, the ARaymond Network is today one of the global leaders in fastening and assembly solutions for many market segments.

— Press release courtesy of ARaymond