Belden, working in signal transmission solutions for mission-critical applications, delivered a solution for photovoltaic power plants that meets the highest requirements for SMA Solar Technology. 

SMA Solar Technology is the leading global specialist for high-efficiency photovoltaic system technologies and solar inverters for every application, all power ranges, all module types and for every plant requirement. Specializing in energy management systems, the company provides innovative technologies for future energy supply structure. SMA provides its customers a worldwide sales and service infrastructure locally present in 21 countries.

Belden’s Modular Industrial Patch Panel (MIPP) forms an integral part of the solutions used by SMA Solar Technology for photovoltaic power plants, which are characterised by maximum economy and efficiency. The MIPP was able to meet SMA’s high demands in terms of robustness, ease of use and versatility. In addition, the patch panel provides an excellent price-performance ratio, fast delivery times and global availability. Moreover, SMA cited extensive support from Belden during the planning and installation phase.

Key benefits 
The MIPP has a robust industrial housing, narrow design and the possibility to meet potential new requirements of the installation by simply swapping the modules, so that flexible and economic PV power plants can be realised. The MIPP offers the following benefits:

  • Flexibility: communication infrastructure can be changed at any time quickly.
  • Cost reduction: installation and commissioning require less time.
  • Reliability: network services are continuously available.
  • Profitability: service quality and service times are improved and shortened.
  • Access to new markets: special approvals and conformity enables worldwide use.

The Belden MIPP has the benefit of a compact design, yet it offers one solution for structured management of fiber or copper-based communication and control cables that connects the individual mirrors to a string. The MIPP’s versatility facilitates possible changes or extensions of the communication network within solar parks and brings down costs.

The Belden MIPP is constructed of lightweight, high-strength aluminum in order to securely protect the cabling connections under the harshest industrial conditions. The products’ rugged design and UL 1863 certification delivers peace of mind to network engineers and system installers in environments, like power transmission and distribution, transportation, alternative power generation, machine building and automation.