The logical solution for medium-voltage collection systems at the majority of U.S. renewable energy facilities has been bare overhead lines or underground cables. Because these sites have been relatively small (under 100 MW, with the majority being under 5 MW), this system has worked well; one or two 34.5 kV collectors could handle the output with relative ease.
But renewable energy facilities are only going to keep getting bigger. As wind, solar and other renewable facilities grow, so do the challenges. As the number of collectors grows from one or two up to 10 or more, the complexity of which construction type to use, where to put the collectors, and what cost they reflect also increases dramatically. For these medium to large facilities, aerial spacer cable can offer a convenient, reliable, and cost-effective solution to the design conundrum.
In this photo gallery, you will see striking images of several overhead distributions projects Hendrix has designed using aerial spacer cable.