Solar Farm Combiner & SCADA Enclosures in High-Temperature Conditions

Sector: Renewable Energy – Utility-Scale Solar
Application: DC combiner boxes, inverter stations, and SCADA enclosures
Location: Inland solar farm in a high-irradiance region

Background
A renewable energy developer required a standard enclosure platform for combiner boxes, station LV switchboards, and SCADA cabinets at a large solar farm. The site experiences extreme solar loading, dust, and large day–night temperature swings.

Challenges

  • Continuous solar exposure and high ambient temperatures demanded enclosures and climate solutions that would maintain safe internal temperatures for power electronics.
  • Dust and occasional driving rain required IP66 enclosures with tested ingress protection.
  • The project team wanted to reduce embodied carbon and improve sustainability without compromising performance.

Solution

The design utilised a combination of:

  • Powder-coated galvanised steel enclosures for LV distribution and SCADA applications where structural robustness and thermal mass were beneficial.
  • FIBOX ARCA high-performance polycarbonate enclosures where lightweight construction, corrosion resistance, and reduced thermal load were priorities.
  • Climate control sized using IP Enclosures’ digital tools, including vents and filtered fans, to keep internal temperatures within equipment limits while minimising energy use.

Products Used

  • S1 steel electrical enclosures, IP66 IK10 for SCADA and communications nodes across the solar array.
  • FIBOX ARCA high-performance polycarbonate enclosures, IP66 IK10 for combiner and small LV panels.
  • Vents, fan kits, and climate-control accessories per IP Enclosures’ catalogue for high-loss cabinets.

Results

  • Internal temperatures in key cabinets were maintained within manufacturer limits even during peak summer conditions, reducing thermal derating of inverters and control hardware.
  • The use of high-durability coatings and corrosion-resistant materials reduced projected lifecycle maintenance and repainting costs.
  • Standardised enclosure platforms across combiner boxes, LV boards, and SCADA cabinets simplified project engineering, spares, and future expansion.