Debrecen Solar Farm – 120MW Large-Scale Photovoltaic Power Plant in Hungary

Against the backdrop of accelerated global energy transition and booming photovoltaic (PV) industry, large-scale ground-mounted PV power plants have become an important direction for optimizing Hungary's energy structure. In 2023, we successfully participated in the construction of the 120MW large-scale ground-mounted PV power plant in Debrecen, Hungary (Debrecen Solar Farm). As the core cable supplier, we provided a full range of PV-specific cables suitable for PV scenarios, successfully solved multiple pain points of the project, achieved efficient delivery and stable operation, and became a benchmark case for cable export to the European PV field.

I. Project Background

Located in Debrecen, Hungary, Debrecen Solar Farm is a key large-scale ground-mounted PV project promoted locally in 2023, with a total installed capacity of 120MW and a vast area. Adopting a hybrid series-parallel layout and a centralized inverter system, it aims to supplement clean electricity to Hungary's central power grid and help the local area achieve its carbon emission reduction goals. Undertaken by a professional EPC team, the project faced fierce industry competition. At the same time, affected by local power grid characteristics, construction environment and approval policies, the project encountered multiple core pain points during advancement, among which cable selection and supply became the key to determining project efficiency and stability.

The core demand of the project party is to find a cable export supplier with international certification, strong product adaptability and efficient delivery, which can provide full-scenario PV-specific cables and customized solutions based on project pain points. While controlling costs, it is necessary to ensure that the cable quality meets European standards and is suitable for Hungary's complex outdoor environment and power grid connection requirements. Combining the actual situation of the project, we summarized the five core pain points of the project party, which are also the key considerations for them to choose us.

1. High pressure of grid connection: The project matches the capacity of Hungary's central power grid, but there is a risk of queuing for grid connection during peak load periods. The transmission efficiency of conventional cables is insufficient, which is likely to lead to unstable grid connection and affect the project commissioning progress; 2. Long land and approval cycle: The project covers a large area and has cumbersome approval procedures. If the cable supply is delayed, it will further aggravate the overall project delay; 3. High construction complexity: The project adopts phased and modular construction, and the cable routing paths on the DC and AC sides are complex, requiring avoidance of construction conflicts, which places extremely high requirements on the flexibility and adaptability of cables; 4. Strict cable selection standards: As a large-scale PV power plant, the cables need to withstand extreme outdoor environments such as strong ultraviolet rays, high and low temperatures for a long time, while meeting the requirements of large current and high voltage transmission, and must comply with relevant European standards; 5. Intensified EPC competition: The project party needs to balance cost and technical reliability, and urgently needs a supplier with professional technical support and perfect after-sales service to enhance project competitiveness.

II. Product Adaptation: Full Range of PV-Specific Cables, Laying a Solid Foundation for the Project

In response to the project characteristics and pain points of Debrecen Solar Farm, we combined our own product advantages to customize a full range of PV-specific cable solutions for the project. All cables have passed TUV international certification (Certificate No.: B 126326 0001 Rev.00), fully complying with European CE2006/95/EC low-voltage regulations and RoHS 2002/95/EC restrictions on hazardous substances. This is also the core reason why the project party gave up other suppliers and chose us — compared with ordinary cable suppliers, our products not only have authoritative certification endorsement, but also can accurately adapt to the special needs of PV scenarios, forming significant advantages in weather resistance, transmission efficiency and safety.

(1) Module to Inverter

For the DC side of the project, we selected H1Z2Z2-K / PV1-F PV-specific cables, which are specially adapted for DC power transmission between solar modules and inverters. Compared with ordinary cables, their core advantage lies in extremely strong weather resistance and transmission stability, perfectly adapting to the outdoor environment of strong ultraviolet rays and alternating high and low temperatures in Hungary. The conductors of this series of cables adopt stranded tinned copper wires complying with DIN VDE 0295 and IEC60228 Class 5, and both insulation and sheath are made of electron beam cross-linked low-smoke halogen-free flame-retardant composites, with a black color, which can effectively resist ultraviolet aging and extend service life.

Specific specifications and applications: H1Z2Z2-K 4mm² is used for small branch circuits from module series connection to combiner boxes, adapting to small current transmission, with flexible routing and able to adapt to the complex layout between modules; H1Z2Z2-K 6mm² is used for the main line from combiner boxes to inverters, with excellent large current carrying capacity, rated voltage up to 0.9/1.5kV DC, maximum conductor temperature up to 120℃, and short-circuit temperature up to 200℃/5s, which can effectively reduce current transmission loss and ensure stable DC power transmission. The expected service life of this series of cables is 25 years, far exceeding the 15-year service life of ordinary cables, greatly reducing the later operation and maintenance costs of the project.

(2) Inverter Output Cables (Inverter to Combiner Box/Step-up Station)

To meet the AC power transmission needs at the inverter output end, we selected Heavy Duty Flexible Copper Cable. Compared with ordinary rigid cables, its biggest advantage is bending resistance and high temperature resistance, adapting to the frequent movement and complex routing scenarios at the inverter end. At the same time, it has excellent electrical conductivity, which can reduce energy loss during AC power transmission.

Specific specifications and applications: 10mm² 3-core is used for small inverter output, adapting to short-distance connection and flexibly fitting the compact layout between inverters and combiner boxes; 16mm² 3-core is used for high-power inverter output, carrying main line current, which can adapt to the high-power output needs of the project's centralized inverter system. The temperature resistance range is -40℃~+90℃, which can operate stably in the low temperature in winter and high temperature in summer in Hungary. It is also wear-resistant and aging-resistant, reducing the risk of cable damage during construction.

(3) Step-up Section to Power Grid

In the transmission link from the AC side step-up section to the power grid, the requirements for the cable's high voltage resistance and outdoor environment resistance are extremely high. We selected medium-voltage cross-linked polyethylene cables (XLPE / MV Cable). Compared with traditional polyvinyl chloride cables, XLPE cables have excellent dielectric strength, heat resistance and corrosion resistance, which can effectively resist outdoor wind and rain erosion and high-voltage impact, ensuring that AC power is safely connected to the power grid after step-up.

Specific specifications and applications: 95mm² 12kV 3-core MV cable is used to connect the step-up station to the regional power grid, adapting to medium-capacity power transmission. The conductor is made of compacted round oxygen-free copper to ensure stable current-carrying capacity; 150mm² 12kV 3-core is used for large-capacity main line power transmission, adapting to the total installed capacity demand of 120MW of the project. The short-circuit temperature can reach 250℃, with a double-layer semi-conductive shielding structure, which can effectively suppress electric field distortion, improve transmission safety, and perfectly solve the pain point of insufficient project grid connection stability.

(4) Monitoring and Signal Control Cables

To ensure the stable operation of the power station's intelligent monitoring system, we selected shielded RVV control cables. Compared with ordinary control cables, their core advantage is strong anti-interference performance, which can effectively resist electromagnetic interference generated by equipment such as inverters and transformers in the PV power station, ensuring the stable transmission of control signals and communication signals, and providing guarantee for the intelligent monitoring and remote operation and maintenance of the project.

Specific specifications and applications: 2-core 1.5mm² is used for low-voltage control signal transmission between inverters and combiner boxes, with simple routing and adapting to short-distance signal transmission needs; 4-core 2.5mm² is used for monitoring system and communication signal transmission, adopting aluminum foil isolation + tinned copper braided shielding with a shielding coverage rate ≥80%, which can achieve stable transmission within 500 meters without repeaters, ensuring that the power station can real-time monitor grid voltage, load and equipment operation status, and predict grid connection risks in advance.

III. Customized Solutions: Addressing Pain Points and Promoting Efficient Project Implementation

We not only provide high-quality PV-specific cables, but also provide one-stop customized solutions based on the five core pain points of the project party, following up the project progress throughout the process to ensure that cable supply is synchronized with project construction, helping the project to be commissioned in advance.

1. Solving the pain point of high grid connection pressure: Communicate with local Hungarian power grid companies in advance to assist the project party in formulating a phased grid connection plan, avoiding queuing delays caused by centralized commissioning; at the same time, optimize the cable cross-section and routing plan of the step-up section, select XLPE 95mm² and 150mm² medium-voltage cables to improve grid connection stability and transmission efficiency; cooperate with the intelligent monitoring system, and realize real-time monitoring of grid voltage and load through the stable signal transmission of shielded RVV control cables, predict grid connection risks in advance, and ensure the smooth grid connection of the project.

2. Solving the pain point of long land and approval cycle: Considering the cumbersome project approval procedures, we optimize the production plan in advance to ensure cable delivery, commit to short-cycle delivery, and avoid aggravating the overall project delay due to delayed cable supply; at the same time, assist the project party in preparing cable-related certification documents and technical data, and adopt standardized document templates to help the project accelerate the approval process; cooperate with the project party's phased construction plan, supply cables in batches, first ensure the construction needs of the approved areas, and reduce the impact of overall project delay on benefits.

3. Solving the pain point of high construction complexity: Adopt a modular construction coordination plan, carry out the cable supply for cable routing, module installation and inverter commissioning in phases to reduce project management difficulty; arrange a professional technical team to carefully plan the cable routing on the DC and AC sides, reasonably arrange branch lines and main lines to avoid construction conflicts; provide on-site technical guidance for special needs during construction to ensure standardized cable installation, improve construction efficiency and ensure construction safety.

4. Solving the pain point of strict cable and equipment selection requirements: Relying on our TUV certification advantage (Certificate No.: B 126326 0001 Rev.00), all cables comply with European standards and special needs of PV scenarios. For the DC side, H1Z2Z2-K 4mm² and 6mm² PV-specific cables are selected, which are high-temperature resistant and UV resistant; for the AC side, XLPE 95mm² and 150mm² medium-voltage cables are selected to ensure safe high-voltage power transmission; for control and monitoring cables,RVV 2-core 1.5mm² and 4-core 2.5mm² are selected to ensure the stability of the remote monitoring system, solving the cable selection problem from the source.

5. Solving the pain point of intensified EPC competition: Provide professional cable selection and construction plans, optimize cable specifications according to the actual project, improve the overall technical level and construction efficiency of the project; optimize the construction plan and logistics arrangement, rely on our mature cable export logistics system to ensure that cables are delivered to the Debrecen project site in Hungary on time and safely, shorten the project cycle and reduce construction costs; provide perfect after-sales operation and maintenance support and technical training, assist the project party in solving later cable operation and maintenance problems, increase project value and customer trust, and help the project party stand out in the fierce EPC competition.

IV. Safety Assurance and Delivery Execution: Quality Escort and Efficient Performance

(1) Safety Assurance: Multiple Certifications and Strict Quality Control

We always put product quality and project safety first. All cables supplied to the Debrecen Solar Farm project have passed TUV international certification (Certificate No.: B 126326 0001 Rev.00), complying with relevant European standards and PV power station safety specifications. In the production process, a strict quality control system is established, and every link from raw material procurement, production and processing to finished product testing is strictly checked to ensure that the electrical conductivity, weather resistance, high voltage resistance and other indicators of the cables meet the project requirements; at the same time, all cables have undergone multiple tests such as spark test, voltage resistance test and damp heat resistance test, with an insulation resistance of 1000 MΩ-km, ensuring that the cables operate safely and stably in long-term outdoor operation and eliminating project failures caused by cable quality problems.

In addition, we have rich experience in supplying cables for large-scale PV projects, and have undertaken many similar cable export projects for PV power stations, with guaranteed quality, which can fully adapt to the complex needs of large-scale ground-mounted PV power stations such as Debrecen Solar Farm. This is also one of the important reasons why the project party chose us.

(2) Delivery Execution: Efficient and Fast, Full Follow-up

In response to the project's tight construction period and phased construction needs, we optimized the production and logistics processes to achieve rapid delivery. After receiving the order, we give priority to arranging production, relying on advanced production equipment and mature production technology to shorten the production cycle; at the same time, integrate cable export logistics resources, select efficient and safe logistics channels, track the cargo transportation status throughout the process, and ensure that the cables are delivered to the Debrecen project site in Hungary on time, avoiding affecting project construction due to logistics delays.

During the delivery process, we arrange a professional technical team and after-sales team to follow up throughout the process, assist the project party in cable acceptance, installation guidance and commissioning, and timely solve cable-related problems arising during construction; in response to the project's phased construction needs, flexibly adjust the supply plan to ensure that each batch of cables can accurately match the construction progress and ensure the smooth progress of the project.

V. Project Achievements and Cooperation Value

(1) Project Achievements

With the support of our full range of cable supply and customized solutions, the Debrecen Solar Farm (120MW) PV power plant was successfully completed and fully connected to the grid at the end of 2023. Since the project has been in operation, all cables have no quality problems, with stable and safe transmission, effectively solving the initial pain points of the project such as high grid connection pressure, complex construction and strict selection requirements. The power station can transmit a large amount of clean electricity to Hungary's central power grid every year, helping the local area achieve its carbon emission reduction goals, and creating employment opportunities for the local area, which has been highly recognized by the local government and the project party.

From the perspective of project data, the PV-specific cables we provided reduced DC transmission loss by more than 3%, improved AC transmission efficiency by 5%, and achieved a grid connection stability of 99.8%, greatly improving the power generation efficiency and operational stability of the power station; at the same time, our advantage of fast delivery helped the project be commissioned 15 days in advance, creating additional benefits for the project party.

(2) Cooperation Value

In this cooperation, we not only provided the project party with high-quality PV-specific cables and professional solutions, but also relied on our own cable export experience, international certification advantages and efficient delivery capacity to help the project party stand out in the fierce EPC competition, achieving a dual balance between cost control and technical reliability. The project party highly evaluated our product quality, delivery efficiency and technical support, believing that our cables have strong adaptability, safety and reliability, and the customized solutions accurately solve the project pain points. At the same time, our after-sales operation and maintenance support also provides a strong guarantee for the long-term stable operation of the project, laying a solid foundation for the long-term cooperation between the two parties.

For us, the success of the Debrecen Solar Farm project has further consolidated our market position incable export to the European PV field, demonstrated our product advantages and service capabilities, and accumulated valuable experience for us to undertake more large-scale European PV power station cable export projects in the future.

VI. Cooperation Appeal: Choose Us to Build a New Future for the PV Industry Together

The success of the Debrecen Solar Farm (120MW) project fully proves our strength and advantages in the field of PV-specific cables. As a professional cable export supplier, we have TUV authoritative certification (Certificate No.: B 126326 0001 Rev.00) with guaranteed product quality; we have rich experience in undertaking similar projects, which can accurately adapt to the complex needs of large-scale PV power stations; we have an efficient production and logistics system with fast delivery, which can meet the phased delivery needs of the project; at the same time, we provide one-stop customized solutions and perfect after-sales operation and maintenance support, escorting you throughout the process from cable selection, supply to installation guidance and later operation and maintenance.

If you are advancing a PV power station project and need high-quality, high-adaptability PV-specific cables and professional cable export solutions, please feel free to contact us. We will customize the most suitable cable supply plan for you according to your project needs, helping your project to be implemented efficiently and operated stably, and building a new future for the global PV industry together!

Contact Information

Dongguan GERITEL Electrical Co., Ltd.

Tel/WhatsApp/WeChat: +86 135 1078 4550 / +86 136 6257 9592

Email: manager01@greaterwire.com