Arizona State University and Affordable Wire Management New White Paper Redefines Cable Management Best Practices for Utility-Scale Bifacial Solar
Co-authored by Dr. GovindaSamy Tamizhmani of ASU’s Photovoltaic Reliability Laboratory and Affordable Wire Management, the research demonstrates that rear-hanging cable bundles do not negatively impact bifacial module performance—challenging conventional routing practices and highlighting improved reliability through optimized cable design
Tempe, Ariz. – May 6, 2026 – Affordable Wire Management (AWM), a leading provider of utility-scale PV Cable Management Systems (CMS) and wire management solutions for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), announced today the publication of a white paper in collaboration with Dr. GovindaSamy Tamizhmani (Dr. Mani), a Research Professor and the Director of Photovoltaic Reliability Laboratory at Arizona State University (ASU). The white paper, entitled Impact of Rear-Hanging String-Cable-Bundle Shading on Performance Parameters of Bifacial Photovoltaic Modules, uproots traditional industry thinking that suspending cables behind modules via hangers will result in harmful rear-side shading. AWM collaborators included Scott Rand, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder; Dan Smith, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder; Peter Hruby, Chief Product Officer; Paul Subzak, Vice President of Engineering; and Benjamin de Fresart, Director of Product Development.
“Partnering with Dr. Mani and the team at Arizona State University on this research has been a true honor,” said Dan Smith, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of AWM. “ASU is my alma mater, as well as Ben’s and Peter’s, which makes this collaboration meaningful on a personal level. Together, we have delivered findings that we believe will fundamentally change cable management design for bifacial PV across the utility-scale industry.”
Research Deep Dive: Analysis Overview and Findings
The study found that rear-side cable bundles — ranging from groups of 2 to 16 cables and suspended from 3” and 6” hangers — have a negligible effect on PV module performance, contributing ≤0.6% impact on Pmax compared to the significantly larger 3–30% losses associated with mounting structures. Key electrical parameters (Pmax, Voc, Isc, and fill factor) remain unchanged within experimental uncertainty. These results are consistent across both 1-axis tracker and fixed-tilt systems and with varying surface conditions, including white ground, indicating that the evaluated cable hanger designs are unlikely to cause any meaningful performance loss in real-world applications. Beyond performance, industry experience and vendor assessments suggest that behind-the-module cable hanger systems can deliver notable efficiency gains, including reducing total cable length by approximately 20–30% and installation time by 15–20%, while eliminating pinch points near torque tubes and tracker components.
Key Findings and a New Metric
Shading can be detrimental, ultimately resulting in reduced energy yield, improper electrical output, and hot spots. The industry has been overly cautious of this and has consistently routed cables along structural components such as torque tubes to prevent rear shading. However, this practice has increased cable lengths and decreased reliability due to the wiring interacting with moving system parts. The results of the research and white paper conclusively proved that shading is not a factor for concern, and performance and reliability are not compromised with rear hanging cables. These critical findings demonstrate that effective cable routing and design should be more heavily prioritized.
Additionally, Normalized Shading Ratio (NSR), a novel metric, was developed and subsequently utilized to obtain these results. Up until now, there has not been one single method to quantify rear-side shading impacts in bifacial PV installations. Unlike traditional metrics, NSR isolates the performance effects of cable bundles from other factors, enabling a precise assessment of real-world power plant energy yield. By establishing a standardized way to measure a previously difficult-to–calculate variable, NSR not only strengthens the study’s conclusions but also provides the industry with a powerful new approach. In the future, NSR may help to inform design decisions and optimize power plant cable management layouts.
AWM’s Legacy of Engineering Excellence
AWM’s approach to wire management is grounded in disciplined engineering and a focus on eliminating inefficiencies before they reach the field. AWM helps EPCs reduce installation delays, avoid unforeseen design conflicts, and streamline deployment at scale. A clear example is AWM’s Bonsai Golden Row methodology for string wire management, which provides installers with precise, repeatable guidance for routing cable along tracker systems. Building on the findings of this new research, AWM is further refining its designs to support straight-line cable routing across module frames. This optimized approach reduces total cable length by approximately 20–30% and installation time by 15–20%, while eliminating pinch points near torque tubes and other tracker components.
The Golden Row concept plays a critical role in utility-scale solar installations by establishing a standardized ‘reference row’ at the outset of construction. This row serves as a blueprint for cable routing, attachment points, and overall system layout, enabling crews to replicate best practices efficiently across the entire site. By resolving potential conflicts early and creating a clear installation benchmark, Golden Row reduces rework, accelerates crew training, and drives greater uniformity and quality across large-scale projects.
Scott Rand, CEO and Co-Founder of AWM, commented: “At AWM, we view installation guidance as an extension of product design. Every detail is engineered to deliver consistency and predictability in the field. Our Golden Row methodology exemplifies this philosophy by establishing a clear standard that enables faster, more reliable installations. Coupled with the introduction of the NSR, the industry now has a validated framework for accurately assessing shading impacts, empowering developers and engineers to make more informed design decisions that enhance power plant performance and long-term reliability.”
About Dr. Mani and the Photovoltaic Reliability Laboratory at ASU
Dr. Mani has over 43 years of experience in research, testing, and certifications across PV, fuel cells, and battery technologies. He has authored more than 270 research publications and spearheaded ASU’s Alternative Energy Technologies (now Clean Energy Systems) program for undergraduate and graduate levels in 2003.
Regarding this white paper, Dr. Mani remarked: “Collaborating with the AWM team showcases how advanced applied research can help facilitate a new way of industry thinking and practices. For this study, NSR was developed to provide a reliable method for accurately assessing shading impacts. This new metric, coupled with detailed analysis, proved that a rear-hanging cable strategy is critical for reducing excess cable length and minimizing the risk of cable snags. Additionally, we disproved the fallacy that cable placement causes energy yield loss or hot-spots due to shade-induced electrical mismatch.”
About Affordable Wire Management
Affordable Wire Management (AWM) delivers innovative, precision-engineered PV Cable Management Systems (CMS) and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) wire management solutions to all the nation’s top-ranked EPCs. AWM’s ampacity-optimized solar CMS hangers include the Arden Hanger, the Hail-Stow Hanger, and the Pinyon Hanger. Supporting products include the Bonsai Module Cable Hanger, the SUMAC Rail, and the Solar LOTO. AWM’s Strata is a purpose-built wire management solution engineered specifically for today’s market-leading BESS platforms. All offerings are designed to excel in both economics and longevity, and to further accelerate the widespread adoption of clean energy. To date, nearly 50 GW of AWM solutions have been installed across projects worldwide, with the average grid-scale power plant more than 200 MW in size. All AWM products listed in the company’s catalog can be customized to meet the specific requirements of utility-scale projects. For more information, please visit the AWM website or reach out to AWM via email at sales@affordablewm.com.
