A few months ago I posted to this group after discovering that my neighbor
was having a solar system installed. I approached the installer to
determine whose hardware they were using, and if the interconnect cables
were twisted and if any ferrite chokes were used. I was told they were
using Solaredge hardware. After explaining why I was asking he replied, “so
you expect to deprive residents of solar energy because of your radio”? I
asked if he would let me know when the system was activated. He dismissed
me and walked away.
It took about 1 month before the system was activated. Sure enough 40m
looked like a picket fence. I contacted Solaredge who was receptive to
speaking with me and asked I submit the complaint in an e-mail. I did so,
copying Steve Andrews @ ARRL. Within a few days I received a call asking if
I would agree to a Zoom meeting with their engineer. We did some live
testing where they remotely turned the system on and off. Within 5 minutes
they confirmed and admitted that their system was at fault. They said they
would get back to me. About a week later they told me that several newly
designed parts were ordered and would be shipped as soon as possible. They
voluntarily told me that they hope to have the matter resolved within 30
days. Soon thereafter two shipments arrived at my neighbor’s home. To my
surprise, I was also copied on the UPS tracking notices. On Oct 21st a crew
of 4 showed up from the local installer. I learned that new optimizer
boards were installed, new twisted cables with integrated ferrite chokes
were replaced, and some sort ferrite choke was added to a junction box.
Steve Andrews said possibly a new inverter as well.
The crew left without notifying me. Holding my breath I fired up my Flex
6500. To my surprise, 40m and every other band was interference free! I
plan on writing an article that will be submitted to the ARRL. I’m also
thinking of creating a short online survey to gather data to show that
quiet solar systems might appeal to the 400K licensed hams. There are a lot
more details to this story, and I know that the ARRL can’t endorse
Solaredge. However, it does show hopes that quiet system are possible.
On a closing note, Solaredge followed up with me and explained that the
newly designed system components would be part of all new installations,
and that similar service can be done for existing customers.
*Best 73 de WA2SQQ*
*Elmwood Park, NJ"The only dumb questions are those we don't ask"*
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