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Utility-scale solar power

Simplify grid connectivity while meeting sustainability and regulatory requirements with help from our product, service and support teams. 

Comply with energy regulations while ensuring grid stability

Providing safe, reliable and affordable energy is no longer enough. Now utilities must navigate changing regulations to design and update systems to meet mandated Distributed Energy Sources (DER) integration goals, as well as support economic development and job creation initiatives. The challenges that come with the changing power landscape are putting a strain on the current utility business model. But as the global shift toward the use of distributed energy resources moves forward, solar has become more cost-competitive and offers significant benefits for utilities to decarbonize and better manage bi-directional energy flow. 

Optimizing utility-scale solar operations today and for the future

Grid connectivity, energy storage requirements and the need for more robust cybersecurity measures mean that utility-scale solar projects are becoming more complex. With more than 100 years of power management expertise, we can help you navigate changes in regulations to future-proof your grid infrastructure, maximize your uptime and energy production, and optimize energy storage all while protecting your investment, people and the environment. From AC recombiners and medium-voltage transformers to grid connection switchgear and cable management systems, we provide a complete balance of electrical system solution from panel to grid. 

solar panel closeup with engineers
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Seamless eBoP solutions – the key to more reliable, more productive and better optimised utility-scale solar PV projects

By 2050 solar PV will contribute almost three times the energy supplied by gas-fired generation, or more than both onshore and offshore wind power combined. Using eBoP components from one trusted, reliable source can help ensure these assets achieve highest levels of output and minimise downtime due to faults, delivering competitive solar power.
 

To learn more, download the whitepaper “Why achieving seamless grid integration is of critical importance to the utility-scale solar PV industry”, click on the button below.

800Vac Solar Recombiner Switchboard 3D experience

The 800Vac recombiner switchboard offering provides a solution to meet the large-scale commercial and utility sized solar project requirements by integrating fuse protection and disconnect all within one enclosure. Chrome or Firefox browser is required to launch the experience. Screen resolutions with a 16:9 aspect ratio (example 1920x1080) are needed for full-screen interaction.

Electrical BoS equipment for utility-scale projects

String protection and control

Either string fuses or string circuit breakers for flexibility to meet system demands and client requirements.

Can be assembled in multi-string combiner boxes to gather and control the DC power. 

These combiner boxes may also include DC SPDs, switch disconnectors, string-level monitoring, and communications.

Solar Substation

Solar substation is a compact solution for PV stations, including MV switchgear, transformer and inverter just in one enclosure. It offers high-reliable and efficient solution for large photovoltaic plants. 

With complete pre-assembled and tested substation, energizing a PV plant is as quick as connecting MV cables into the MV switchgears. By installing all package into a standard seaworthy ISO container, delivery & logistics have never been so easy, even to very far and rural lands.

Solar Substation

Solar substation is a compact solution for PV stations, including MV switchgear, transformer and inverter just in one enclosure. It offers high-reliable and efficient solution for large photovoltaic plants. 

With complete pre-assembled and tested substation, energizing a PV plant is as quick as connecting MV cables into the MV switchgears. By installing all package into a standard seaworthy ISO container, delivery & logistics have never been so easy, even to very far and rural lands.

Connection point

Power from multiple solar stations is collected in a substation, where the connection to the public grid is made. Air circuit breakers control and protect high LV AC current. 

As power is transformed to local grid distribution needs, medium voltage switchgear provides protection and switching for cabling and transformers. Grid protection relays can be integrated in LV or MV systems.

Solar inverter

A growing trend is increased use of string inverters. Eaton can provide the complete electrical infrastructure to connect these string inverters in a modular and scalable way. Eaton can provide significant content for Inverter ‘houses’ for the DC and AC protection including fuses, SPD’s, Circuit breakers, and controls. 

Services (EESS-CoE)

Eaton’s electrical engineering services range from power systems engineering consultancy, to utility/ grid point of connection (PoC) design, installation and commissioning, to PV BoS design and project management to full BoS turnkey services which can also include cable and civil works construction.

Maximize your energy harvest and your investment

See how our AC collection systems for string inverter projects can provide easy installation, labor savings and lower the total cost of your investment. 

Eaton powers Kentucky’s largest solar installation

In collaboration with the local utility, see how we designed a complete end-to-end solar power collection and distribution package to advance sustainability and energy security efforts for a U.S. military base.