Hello All;
I would like to give a quick report of what has been done by the ARRL Lab
and the ARRL EMC Committee, what is understood about the issue of interference
from solar panel systems and the regulatory framework under which these systems operate.
First, the ARRL Laboratory has received and helped solve several complaints
of noise from solar power panel installations. The majority of complaints have arisen
from the installations that use equipment from one specific manufacturer with complaints
related to issues arising from installations that utilize devices from other manufacturers a
distant second in number. This has been referenced in a number of EMC Committee reports.
The manufacturer involved in particular , Solar Edge, located in Israel, has been
cooperating with the ARRL with the resolution of identified harmful interference to amateur
problems on a case-by-case basis. Since this method of resolution is time consuming,
expensive, and could easily outstrip the available manpower both at the manufacturer
field service level and at the ARRL we are anxiously awaiting fulfillment of the promise
by Solar Edge that corrections to their design will soon be in the marketplace and distribution
chain.
Specific to this problem is that the noise arises from what is called an optimizer.
The optimizer connects directly to the solar panels and not to the AC mains, so one
issue is that this source of potential interference is powered, without an interrupt not
from AC mains but from the solar panel. This also gives rise to the regulatory portion of
the problem.
The second issue that is encompassed with solar panel interference is related to how these
systems and devices are tested. Since the solar power system will connect to the AC
Mains, both conducted and radiated emission tests are required for the system. The conducted emissions
have limits established at the point where the device or system connects to the AC Mains.
Those limits apply for frequencies below 30 MHz. Radiated emission limits apply to
frequencies above 30 MHz. In the situation of the Solar Edge optimizer, only radiated
emission limits apply since the device is never directly connected to the AC Mains.
The ARRL does have the copy of the lab reported used by Solar Edge to obtain
the authorization to market and sell their devices and systems, the measurements do
indicate that it is within the limits of the applicable regulations.
That being said, the emissions and conduction of a solar panel system must be
tested and found to have been measured within the limits but this is done in a laboratory
setting and not in the field. If such a system is properly installed with methods as simple
as the proper twist and routing of the solar panel leads, the potential is greatly reduced.
The issue here is that building codes that would cover specifics such as this usually
involve references to national standards such as the NFPA-70 NEC (National Electric Code)
for wiring which is based on the sole concern involving fire and personnel safety.
The success in preventing emissions by proper methods of installation will definitely
be related to the use of properly constructed and tested components and following
correct methods for installation. This will be a large variable as a state mandate will
inevitably give rise to the use of components that have not been test, may not be complaint
coupled with the use of installation methods that may at best be capable of preventing
fires but not potential harmful interference to licensed users of the radio spectrum.
I can point to various portions of the EMC Committee reports and articles in QST
that detail the present understanding of the potential problems. I am sorry for any delay
in this response but typing over the weekend on a 2" screen has not been productive
and I have waited for my return home to respond. Please respond to the reflector
with any questions.
It would be most helpful if someone would post or forward the link to the
California statute. I am especially interested to see if the ordering clauses reference
any technical industry standards.
73, Kermit Carlson W9XA
On Wednesday, May 16, 2018, 11:28:31 AM CDT, Christopher Imlay <w3kd.arrl@gmail.com> wrote:
Are there studies that demonstrate that solar panels emit RF noise, or is that something that we would have to create from scratch?
Kermit's EMC Committee would likely be the proper entity to look into this. It seems to me that existing FCC Part 15 regulations will address the interference obligation, and an education effort by ARRL and perhaps an FCC Public Notice would be good first steps in addressing this. Normally, advocates at FCC in a situation like this would prepare the text of a public notice and ask FCC to release it.
Chris W3KD
On Wed, May 16, 2018 at 12:02 PM, Richard J. Norton, N6AA <n6aa@arrl.net> wrote:
This is to notify the Board that California has passed a law that requires new housing built after 2020 to have solar panels installed on the roof.Hams are afraid that this will be a large source of noise, and are suggesting that the League get involved to minimize future problems.73,Dick Norton, N6AA---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <n6cw@san.rr.com>
Date: Tue, May 15, 2018 at 1:50 PM
Subject: Solar panels
To: w6ya@cox.net, w6yi@aol.com, jim@long-path.com, w6kh@cox.net, w1uo.cqdx@gmail.com, k6na@cts.com, marko.l.myllymaki@gmail.com, w7bia@cox.net, n6ki@sbcglobal.net, jnprice@pacbell.net, k6am@arrl.net, hlserra@gmail.com
Cc: n6aa@arrl.net
Am I the only one who is alarmed at the recent ruling in California that all new housing being built starting in 2020 will have to have solar panels installed?
It is probably reasonable to assume this will be done on the cheap with crappy components and with no regard or oversight as to the radiation consequences of this action.
While the time frame is tight it would seem prudent for us, local clubs, the ARRL and the FCC to get involved in this to make the installers adhere to a set of rules to prevent radiation.
Anyone have any input on this and suggestions on where to start?
Terry/N6CW
Randy Standke <r55stan@gmail.com>
The possibly good news is SolarEdge says they will start using new "optimizers" (these are DC to DC converters) that are clean in about one or two years. Maybe this will be in time for the 2020 projects. The bad news is SolarEdge will continue installing their systems using economical ham radio jamming wiring methods (a big loop antenna) until then. And unfortunately, SolarEdge systems seem to be the most popular now. As far as I have seen, other brands of solar power on neighbor's roofs don't RFI hams.
By the way, a SolarEdge engineer told me I should find more interesting things to do with my time than help other hams identify RFI caused by SolarEdge systems. I see his point. If hams don't know where the RFI is coming from they won't know who to complain to.
73,
Randy KQ6RS
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