Feasibility study on the replacement of copper conductors with copper-cladsteel conductors in photovoltaic plants

Autores

  • Vinicius Maschio Minosso Universidade do Contestado
  • Tiago Volnei Picolotto Universidade do Contestado
  • Paulo Reis Junior Universidade do Contestado
  • Luana Cechin Universidade do Contestado
  • Mari Aurora Favero Reis Universidade do Contestado

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21712/lajer.2025.v12.n2.p19-27

Palavras-chave:

Copper-clad steel conductor, sustainability,, photovoltaic power plant,, electrical conductivity.

Resumo

This study examines the technical and economic feasibility of replacing copper conductors with copper-clad steel conductors in the grounding systems of a commercial-scale photovoltaic plant. A literature review was conducted to identify existing applications, followed by an analysis of data from a photovoltaic complex where copper grounding conductors and rods were replaced by copper-clad steel. Results show that the substitution is feasible, maintaining grounding efficiency within regulatory standards, despite higher electrical resistivity. The change also results in cost reduction, increased mechanical strength, and lower risk of material theft, factors that support sustainability and operational safety. Further research is recommended on long-term performance and durability in different soil conditions. The findings suggest that copper-clad steel conductors are a promising alternative for large-scale photovoltaic applications, contributing to sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions.

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Biografia do Autor

  • Vinicius Maschio Minosso, Universidade do Contestado

    Engenharia Civil pela Universidade do Contestado.

  • Tiago Volnei Picolotto, Universidade do Contestado

    Engenharia Civil pela Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina, especialização em Pós-Graduação Em Engenharia De Construção Civil pela Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina (2015). Foi professor na Universidade do Contestado durante o período da pesquisa.

  • Paulo Reis Junior , Universidade do Contestado

    Mestrado Profissional em Engenharia Civil, Sanitária e Ambiental pela Universidade do Contestado, Universidade do Contestado, Concórdia (SC), Brasil.

  • Luana Cechin, Universidade do Contestado

    Mestrado e Doutorado pela Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Campus Curitiba, na área de concentração Construção Civil na linha de pesquisa Materiais e Componentes da Construção. Professora da Universidade do Contestado - UNC, no Programa de Mestrado Profissional em Engenharia Civil, Sanitária e Ambiental – PMPECSA.

  • Mari Aurora Favero Reis, Universidade do Contestado

    Doutorado em Ensino de Ciências e Matemática pela Universidade Luterana do Brasil (2019), professora no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Sistemas Produtivos (PPGSP - UNIPLAC, UNC, UNESC e UNIVILLE) e no Programa de Mestrado em Engenharia Civil Sanitária e Ambiental (PMPECSA) na Universidade do Contestado.

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Publicado

08/04/2025

Edição

v. 12 n. 2 (2025)

Seção

Engenharias

Licença

Copyright (c) 2025 Latin American Journal of Energy Research

Creative Commons License

Este trabalho está licenciado sob uma licença Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

O autor, no ato da submissão do artigo, transfere o direito autoral ao periódico.

Como Citar

Feasibility study on the replacement of copper conductors with copper-cladsteel conductors in photovoltaic plants. (2025). Latin American Journal of Energy Research, 12(2), 19-27. https://doi.org/10.21712/lajer.2025.v12.n2.p19-27

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