RFI
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [RFI] SOLAR INSTALLATION PROS/CONS

To: dan.k2ywe@gmail.com
Subject: Re: [RFI] SOLAR INSTALLATION PROS/CONS
From: David Eckhardt <davearea51a@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 11 May 2021 19:46:10 -0600
List-post: <mailto:rfi@contesting.com>
Beware of the optimizers.  Most are wicked wrt to RFI.

Dave - W0LEV

On Sun, May 23, 2021 at 4:44 PM Dan K2YWE <dan.k2ywe@gmail.com> wrote:

> This article linked below does not address RFI directly, but I found it
> illuminating as I had not heard of Enpahse before.
> I designed both centralized and distributed switching power conditioners
> for a good part of my career. They powered sensitive receivers and had
> ultra-low conducted and radiated noise requirements. I can tell you that we
> jumped into resonant inverter topologies very quickly early on and used
> them in distributed systems. Vicor was one of the first companies to patent
> and sell a particularly quiet implementation of a basic resonant inverter
> module. I assume that by now there are several manufacturers that are
> making good quiet ones. Perhaps Enphase is one of them.
>
> https://www.mcelectrical.com.au/micro-inverters/
> 73, Dan
>
>
> On Sun, May 23, 2021 at 6:33 PM Frank <kibbish@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > The systems engineer at the installation company I used did some research
> > of his own once I reached out to him, and he said he found more reports
> of
> > RFI with single inverter systems than with individual microinverters on
> > each panel.  And I found some reports on my own that seemed to support
> > that.
> >
> > But then I also reached out to the ARRL RFI lab to see what they knew.  I
> > received a reply from Mike Gruber, W1MG, EMC Engineer at ARRL HQ, who
> said
> > that they had received multiple reports of RFI from systems with
> SolarEdge
> > optimizers, which are inverters that mount at each panel.  He also
> > mentioned that SolarEdge does not recommend installing their inverters
> near
> > a ham station.
> >
> > I suspect — but don't know for sure — that the Enphase inverters tend to
> be
> > quieter because they have to meet the much more rigorous RFI standards of
> > the EU.  Enphase is a German company.
> >
> > 73,
> >   Frank N6OI
> >
> >
> > On Sun, May 23, 2021 at 3:04 PM Mark Schoonover <mark@ka6wke.net> wrote:
> >
> > > The micro inverters I used were also from Enphase. 8KW system w/32
> > panels.
> > > Totally quiet.
> > >
> > > I wonder if solar RFI is related to single inverter systems? I don't
> have
> > > any direct experience with them and don't have access to one to test.
> > >
> > > 73! Mark KA6WKE
> > >
> > > Website: https://www.ka6wke.net
> > >
> > > On Sun, May 23, 2021, 15:01 Frank <kibbish@gmail.com> wrote:
> > >
> > >> My personal experience is that you will have no RFI problems with a
> > solar
> > >> system that uses individual microinverters at each panel so long as
> you
> > >> use
> > >> microinverters from Enphase.  I have 22 panels (320W each) on my roof,
> > and
> > >> some of them sit less than 30 feet below my 6-band hex beam.  I have
> > >> absolutely no RFI from them on any band.  I've spoken to several other
> > >> hams
> > >> that also have Enphase microinverters on their home solar systems, and
> > >> also
> > >> have no RFI problems.
> > >>
> > >> One thing that definitely helps in designing the system is having a
> > solar
> > >> installer that is willing to work with you to ensure the system is RFI
> > >> free.  The solar installation company that I selected knew nothing
> about
> > >> potential RFI issues when I first contacted them, but they looked at
> my
> > >> concern as an opportunity for them to learn.  They were happy to put
> me
> > in
> > >> touch not only with their internal systems engineer but also one of
> > their
> > >> non-ham customers.  That customer let me bring my KX3 and a portable
> > >> antenna to their home and do a considerable amount of RFI sniffing on
> > >> multiple bands to ensure that their system (which was similar to what
> I
> > >> was
> > >> planning to install) would not generate RFI.
> > >>
> > >> 73,
> > >>  Frank N6OI
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> On Sun, May 23, 2021 at 2:37 PM <rfi-request@contesting.com> wrote:
> > >>
> > >> > Date: Sun, 23 May 2021 12:32:51 -0700
> > >> > From: "Robert T. Devine" <rtdevine@comcast.net>
> > >> > To: <rfi@contesting.com>
> > >> > Subject: [RFI] SOLAR INSTALLATION PROS/CONS
> > >> > Message-ID: <02c501d7500a$6d66aee0$48340ca0$@comcast.net>
> > >> > Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="us-ascii"
> > >> >
> > >> > Looking for information from those that have experienced Solar
> > >> > Installations
> > >> >
> > >> > Pro's and con's appreciated
> > >> >
> > >> > Thanks
> > >> >
> > >> > Robert T. Devine, KC6AWX
> > >> > Manager, ARRL 6th District Incoming QSL Bureau
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> > "Save a Life...Become an Organ Donor"
> > >> > 'Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you
> > >> > meet is fighting some kind of battle.'
> > >> >
> > >> > ------------------------------
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> _______________________________________________
> > >> RFI mailing list
> > >> RFI@contesting.com
> > >> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi
> > >>
> > >
> > _______________________________________________
> > RFI mailing list
> > RFI@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi
> >
> _______________________________________________
> RFI mailing list
> RFI@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi
>


-- 
*Dave - WØLEV*
*Just Let Darwin Work*
_______________________________________________
RFI mailing list
RFI@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi
<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>