Featured in Fault lines – 11-2025

High time for voltage standards

While photovoltaic systems operating at 2,000 V DC have become a reality in China and North America, Europe’s transition is in its infancy. There is no product standard, and without one, the market remains blocked. Perhaps Europe’s standardization bodies could catapult the market directly to 3,000 V, reports Marian Willuhn.

By

Marian Willuhn

03 Nov 2025

Savings of around 75% in cable cross-section have been realized, simply by increasing the output voltage from 800 V AC to 1,500 V AC. | Image: SMA

Photovoltaics is one of the cheapest forms of power generation today, but the pressure to reduce prices has not let up. Module prices are already at rock bottom and manufacturers have been complaining about the lack of margins for some time – so where are potential cost savings going to come from? The answer could …

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