[RFI] HF range solar panel RFI

[Tony]

All:

Regarding solar panel noise on HF; my neighbor's Solar Edge installation 
generates high noise levels that effect 30 meters on up to VHF. I have a 
couple of screenshots that show how the noise is generated during the 
day, when the solar panels are illuminated by the sun and another that 
shows how the noise disappears after sundown when the panels are no 
longer energized.

I should mention that filed a complaint with Solar Edge in August of 
2016 on the day of the installation. Over the course of 9 months, I 
received numerous emails from them stating that they were working on a 
solution. No action was taken until February, 2017 (7 months later) when 
they attempted to fix the problem by changing out the Optimizers which 
actually made things worse.

I finally contacted ARRL EMC engineer, Mike Gruber who then contacted 
the manufacturer. Within a few weeks, I receive a phone call from the 
CEO of Solar Edge who assured me that he would work with the ARRL to fix 
the problem.

The plan is to install chokes and other RFI techniques similar to what 
Tony Brock-Fisher outlined in his QST article. That has yet to take place.

My advise to those experiencing similar issues is to document everything 
and contact the ARRL immediately. The more complaints that reach the 
desks of solar manufactures, the better the chance they'll consider 
improving their components.


Mike can be reached at:
Tel: (860) 594-0392
Email: w1mg at arrl.org

Tony -K2MO