I heard that Generac doesn't provide an economy running mode that
conserves fuel the way that, for example, the Honda 2000i does. This
info might be enough to fend off a future neighbor from buying Generac.
Also, I heard that Generac works on a franchise business model with
territories for the franchisee, who will be responsible for warranty and
out of warranty service. This is not desirable IMHO. Another reason I
wouldn't buy it is the constant TV advertising they buy. If the product
was any good in the first place, it would sell by word of mouth (WOM).
Turn off your TV and instead drive around and look for installed systems
and ask the owner if they like their system. Finally, "FCC Compliant"
can mean various things. Sounds like its just a virtue signaling box to
check for Generac.
--
Rick Karlquist
N6RK
On 2025-03-25 14:49, K9MA wrote:
> As I posted last August, I tracked down some severe RFI to a neighbor's
> Generac solar system, about 650 meters (0.4 mile) from my station. The
> homeowners and installer have, fortunately, been very cooperative. Generac,
> not so much. The system has been shut down since then, with Generac
> reimbursing the homeowners for lost production. Meanwhile, Generac has been
> promising that new RFI-free "optimizers" would soon be available. (These are
> boost converters installed near the panels to provide a constant voltage to
> the central inverter.) Originally, Feb. 2025, now they have "no timeframe".
> Sometime last year, Generac assured the homeowners that, if the new
> optimizers didn't eliminate the RFI, they would replace the whole system with
> their new PWRcell system, claimed to be "FCC Compliant".
>
> I can't find much information on the PWRcell system, but it appears to use a
> central inverter, like the current system. Whether it uses the same
> optimizers is unknown.
>
> In any case, while I currently have no RFI from this system, it doesn't look
> like Generac is making any progress towards a real solution. This is really
> unfair to the homeowners who, after a substantial investment over a year ago
> have yet to get any benefit from their solar system. (They report that
> Generac doesn't respond to emails unless they "make a fuss".)
>
> Should you learn of any of your neighbors considering installing a solar
> power system, I suggest trying to discouraged them from using a Generac one.
> Enphase, AP Systems, and SMA appear to be free of RFI, at least to a level
> one could detect in an urban environment.
>
> 73,
> Scott K9MA
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