In a large-scale photovoltaic (PV) power generation system, we often focus on the PV panels and inverters while overlooking the "blood vessels" that connect them – the PV cables. These cables are responsible for steadily transmitting the generated electricity. However, over a lifespan of 25 years or more, these cables face severe challenges: high temperatures from intense sunlight, the risk of cracking in extreme cold, and corona discharge corrosion from high-voltage currents. If the cable insulation layer ages and cracks, it can lead not only to leakage and power outages but also potentially to fires. The application of liquid silicone rubber (LSR) provides a robust "protective suit" for these fragile "blood vessels," ensuring safe and smooth energy transmission.

Traditional cable insulation materials, such as ordinary polyethylene, are prone to aging, hardening, and cracking under the combined attack of high temperatures and strong UV radiation. Especially in the arid deserts of the northwest, where summer ground temperatures are extremely high and the temperature inside cable trenches is even more astonishing, ordinary cables often need replacement within a few years, incurring very high maintenance costs. In contrast, specialty cables using LSR as the insulation and jacketing material demonstrate remarkable "vitality."

LSR offers exceptional high and low-temperature resistance. It maintains stable performance across a wide temperature range from -60°C to 200°C. Under a scorching desert sun, it will not soften or flow; in freezing polar conditions, it will not become hard or brittle. This characteristic of being "immune to hot and cold" makes it highly suitable for large-scale ground-mounted PV power plants in harsh environments. Furthermore, the molecular structure of LSR provides excellent resistance to UV radiation and ozone, preventing degradation even with long-term outdoor exposure, fundamentally solving the problems of chalking and cracking on cable outer sheaths.

Beyond weather resistance, LSR also excels in electrical performance. As PV systems move toward higher voltages (e.g., 1500V systems), the electric field stress on cables increases, making them more susceptible to "corona" – a phenomenon where air is ionized and corrodes the insulation. LSR offers excellent resistance to tracking and corona, effectively withstanding erosion from high-voltage arcs and preventing insulation breakdown. This is critical for ensuring the safe operation of high-voltage PV power plants.

In practical applications, LSR is not only used to manufacture entire cables but also widely used for sealing and protecting cable joints and connectors. Cable joints are often the weakest point in the entire circuit, prone to moisture ingress. By leveraging the flowability of LSR, complex joint structures can be potted; after curing, they form a monolithic seal that completely prevents water vapor ingress.

In summary, with its superior environmental adaptability and electrical stability, LSR makes PV cables tougher than ever before. It not only reduces power plant operation and maintenance costs and minimizes power generation losses due to cable faults but also provides a solid material foundation for building safe and reliable PV energy networks. As PV applications continue to expand in the future, this high-performance material will undoubtedly become a "mainstay" in the field of PV transmission.

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