Featured in 2025 Unboxed – 02-2025

Higher voltage faces greater resistance

Utility-scale solar is set to crank up the voltage, preparing to shift from 1.5 kV to 2 kV on the DC side. It is a move that could redefine PV system design and slash costs, but it won’t happen globally due to vastly different regulations as voltages rise, reports Tristan Rayner.

By

Tristan Rayner

07 Feb 2025

Greenbacker COO Matt Murphy speaks at the groundbreaking of the South Street solar project. | Photo: Greenbacker

The looming direct-current (DC) voltage shift from the solar industry standard 1.5 kV to 2 kV, like the previous step up from 600 V, promises cost savings and efficiency gains. It will again challenge PV manufacturers and developers, who must weigh technical advancement and specialist products against economic viability.Some have already found the balance in …

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