Industry Background
With the widespread adoption of Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), rooftop PV systems are entering a new phase characterized by “efficiency, modularity, and low load.” Behind the advantages of efficient installation and flexible application, the demands for system safety and intelligent management are simultaneously escalating. As the global wave of zero-carbon buildings advances, string-level arc protection technology will evolve from an “optional accessory” to a “safety foundation,” transforming every PV-integrated building into an indispensable energy node within the urban power system.
BIPV’s Unique Risks Amplify Arc Hazards: Safety Standards Cannot Be Compromised
High Concealment, Challenging Rescue: In BIPV scenarios, PV systems are widely deployed in densely populated areas such as residential and commercial rooftops. Modules embedded in building structures (e.g., facades, roofs) feature concealed and distributed wiring points, making fault localization difficult for traditional arc detection methods.
No Zero-Crossing Point, Thermal Effects Multiply: Once a DC arc ignites, it cannot self-extinguish. Sustained high temperatures can ignite building insulation materials (e.g., color steel tiles, cable sheaths), and PV faults may penetrate roofing layers, threatening both structural integrity and personal safety.
String-Level Arc Protector
Fonrich New Energy’s String-Level Arc Interrupter (AFCI Solution) supports voltages up to 1500V and unlimited string connectivity, equipped with real-time remote monitoring capabilities. While enhancing safety and reducing operational costs, it complies with international standards like UL1699B, making it a reliable choice for large-scale PV plants. It enables precise arc fault detection and rapid shutdown at the string level, effectively resolving arc-related issues. This achieves string-level safety prevention, establishing the first line of defense for personnel safety.
Precision Detection and Rapid Shutdown
Transitioning from “passive protection” to “intelligent prediction,” the String-Level Arc Protector monitors series and parallel arcs in real time, accurately locates faulty strings, and executes millisecond-level shutdown of affected strings while allowing non-faulty sections to continue generating power.
Intelligent Diagnostics and Real-Time Monitoring
Integrated with 1600-meter loop communication capability, it monitors operational data such as arc incident counts and string currents in real time, enabling remote string-level monitoring and health diagnostics to generate a “Plant Safety Profile.” In commercial BIPV projects, this feature allows operators to precisely track the health status of each string via the platform, elevating the Arc Protector from a “safety switch” to a “data hub.”
Easy Installation and Maximized Benefits
The solution requires no large-scale modifications to existing electrical structures or wiring. Simply adding the protector at the string end achieves arc protection, significantly controlling construction costs, reducing retrofit expenses, and shortening project timelines. Moreover, when a fault occurs, the system isolates the affected string without disrupting power generation in normal strings, ensuring the economic performance of the plant.
Real Cases: How String-Level Arc Protection Solutions Empower Different Scenarios
Case 1: BIPV Commercial & Industrial Rooftop Distributed Project
Type: Photovoltaic systems for office buildings and production plants
Scale: Nearly 100 string-level arc protectors deployed
Requirements: Achieve arc safety protection for rooftop power generation, support visualization of data such as current and arc protection counts, significantly enhance installation redundancy, and ensure safety in office and production environments.
Case 2: Retrofitting Project for Existing Power Plant
Type: Lightweight module commercial & industrial rooftop
Scale: Upgrade with nearly 800 string-level arc protectors
Requirements: For existing power plants, solutions must feature easy installation, control string-level arc risks, predict fault points, and enable rapid shutdown during arc incidents to prevent expanded power generation losses caused by inverter downtime. The Fonrich solution achieves arc fault visualization and proactive protection.
Case 3: Ground-mounted Power Plant Project
Type: Large-scale mountainous ground power plant
Scale: Approximately 2,000 string-level arc protectors deployed
Requirements: Address safety hazards in combiner box scenarios of ground power plants caused by aging over time. Fonrich’s string-level arc protectors mitigate arc fault risks in PV arrays, predict fault points, and enable intelligent monitoring management with string-level precise localization.
In the evolution of BIPV systems towards “high efficiency, intelligence, and safety,” arc protection technology has transitioned from an optional feature to an essential component of safety design. Particularly in densely populated scenarios such as commercial complexes and public buildings, as well as projects with stringent fire safety regulations, the deployment of arc protection solutions is not only a compliance requirement but also a proactive safeguard for lives and property.
Fonrich New Energy delivers innovative products, providing more reliable and intelligent safety solutions for the BIPV photovoltaic era.
To learn more about Fonrich New Energy’s products, technical solutions, and collaboration opportunities, please visit our official website at www.fonrich.com or contact us via email at info@fonrich.com.
Company Profile
Fonrich (Shanghai) New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., founded in 2011, is a national high-tech enterprise specializing in safety and intelligent operation and maintenance for new energy power plants. Driven by core technologies, the company’s business covers PV plant yield optimization, system safety protection, and full-lifecycle intelligent management. With over 200 patent applications, Fonrich’s core technologies include AFCI arc fault detection algorithms, PV module rapid shutdown, and power control methods. Its products have been deployed in numerous residential, commercial, industrial, and utility-scale PV projects worldwide.
