A New Technology for Termite-Proof Underground Cables: Proposing Novel Solutions

This article highlights the significant termite damage problem affecting buried power lines in utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) plants. It emphasizes the risks posed by insulation failures, which can lead to service interruptions and damage to equipment, as documented in a real example plant in Brazil. The article outlines the required tests to identify the failure points critical for preventing further damage. The authors propose various solutions to mitigate the problem, including Tratos’ development of a reinforced medium-voltage (MV) cable designed to withstand damage from termites and rodents. This cable includes a specialized fiberglass covering, which has been tested at the solar facility. It showed promising results in preventing damage and improving the overall durability of the system. By addressing this issue, the article contributes to advancing infrastructure resilience in solar energy systems, making them more reliable.