In large-scale photovoltaic projects, reducing CAPEX and OPEX depends on logistical efficiency, field productivity, and the number of components used. However, traditional fastening with clamps and screws requires multiple parts and greater installation complexity.
Solutions that eliminate these assemblies can generate significant gains, especially in large-scale (utility-scale) projects where the volume of materials is high. Simplification reduces logistics and contributes to improving the project's economic return.
According to Roberto Maurício, Sales Management Analyst at ARaymond, combining the fasteners into a single piece significantly reduces the number of components transported and installed.
“There is a significant reduction in the number of components by unifying the fastening into a single piece, unlike conventional solutions that use pre-assembled sets. On average, for the installation of 1 MW, with modules from the 600 W family, approximately 6.600 ARaymond clips are needed, while traditional solutions require approximately 25.000 components, reducing the number of parts by 73%,” he stated.
In addition to logistics, the impact on the schedule is also significant. The average installation time per photovoltaic module can drop from about three minutes to approximately 30 seconds.
Regarding its product, Raymond assures that its fastening clips were developed precisely to eliminate these inefficiencies of solutions with a larger set of parts. The clips allow fastening from the bottom of the modules, eliminating the need for screws, nuts, and special tools. In practice, this translates to:
- Reduced assembly time means fewer working hours and lower labor costs;
- Simplified and safer installation without the need to access the top of the modules, reducing the risk of photovoltaic cell damage and hotspots;
- Lower investment in tooling and fewer fastening components result in direct savings in the project's CAPEX.
Impacts on project risk analysis
The maturing solar market has also led investors to consider engineering technologies when assessing project risk.
According to Maurício, there is a growing recognition of the importance of O&M (operation and maintenance) costs throughout the life cycle of power plants.
In some cases, insurance companies have even come to recognize the lower operational risk associated with these technologies.
"In certain situations, there has been a reduction in the insurance value of the plants, as insurers have recognized the lower risk associated with the use of these anchoring solutions," he added.
Durability and reduced maintenance
Another factor raised by Maurício It eliminates the need for periodic retightening, which is common in conventional fastening systems.
"These interventions occur, on average, twice a year in traditional systems, requiring the deployment of technical teams and additional operational costs," he emphasized.
According to him, the solution completely eliminates this need, reducing interventions throughout the lifespan of the project.
Greater efficiency and durability with metal cable management systems.
Faults related to cabling are also among the main causes of unscheduled downtime in photovoltaic plants.
In this context, the use of metallic cable management systems can improve cable organization, reduce damage from friction or environmental exposure, and increase the electrical reliability of the system.
According to Maurício, this solution minimizes cabling-related failures, which are one of the main causes of unscheduled shutdowns in photovoltaic plants, negatively impacting system operation.
“ARaymond metal cable management systems help reduce costs and increase system reliability by optimizing cable organization, preventing damage from friction or exposure, and ensuring quick installation without the need for complex tools,” he explained.
"This ensures that the cables remain in place throughout the system's lifespan, reducing corrective interventions," he added.
Another key point highlighted is the simplification of the BOM (Bill of Materials) list. Rafael Avila, Key Account Manager at ARaymond, emphasizes that traditional systems use a washer, ground washer, screw, and nut, while the solution replaces this assembly with a single clip, significantly reducing logistical and assembly complexity.
Customer reports also indicate significant operational gains. Tracker manufacturers, for example, reported up to a 50% reduction in installation time and a decrease of approximately 12% in labor demand when adopting the fastening solution.
In terms of LCOE (levelized cost of energy), an indicator that considers investments and operating expenses divided by the energy generated over the system's lifespan, the solutions can provide cost reductions between 5% and 8%.
According to Avila, these gains are directly reflected in the economic viability of the projects. ARaymond It also estimates reductions of approximately 3% to 5% in CAPEX and 8% to 12% in OPEX with the adoption of its technologies.
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