[RFI] Leased Solar Panels: Operator Responsibility?

[Randy Standke]

I would suggest that every amateur radio operator experiencing interference from SolarEdge complain to the ARRL and the FCC.  If we do nothing, current and future radio amateurs will lose the HF bands to irresponsible equipment manufacturers.  Email Mike Gruber at the ARRL mgruber at arrl.org, email Laura Smith at the FCC Laura.Smith at fcc.gov and use the FCC on line complaint form https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us

The fact that the optimizers generate RFI from solar panel power, and therefore would be inconvenient to the operator to turn off, does not justify ignoring the problem.  From Part 15 “The operator of a system that causes harmful interference to licensed radio service (i.e. Amateur Radio) must cease operation until the problem is corrected at the operator’s expense.”  In this case the solar panels could be covered with dark tarps to stop their interference.  They can stay covered until SolarEdge comes out and fixes that system.

Randy KQ6RS

-----Original Message-----
From: RFI [mailto:rfi-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Tony
Sent: Monday, November 13, 2017 3:38 PM
To: rfi at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [RFI] Leased Solar Panels: Operator Responsibility?

Randy:

It follows that the operator would be the responsible party, but when you consider the fact that the Optimizers get their power from the solar panels,  and the only way to shut them off is by physically disconnecting them, it would appear the responsibility of that part of the system would fall under the control of the company.

My neighbor said the company owns, maintains and operates the system. He also said that he is not authorized to operate or make any changes or modifications. Of course without seeing the written contract, it's all speculation. I'm hoping I can convince my neighbor to let me have a copy.

Tony -K2MO



On 11/13/2017 3:49 PM, Randy Standke wrote:
> The "operator" of the system is responsible for FCC violations.  If a 
> homeowner bought the system, it would be him.  If an outside company 
> operated and maintained the system on a homeowner's roof, it would be 
> that company.  I suspect if a homeowner used a lease strictly as a way 
> to finance the system, he would be the operator the same as someone 
> who bought it - since he is the only one who has control of its operation.
>
> Randy KQ6RS
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: RFI [mailto:rfi-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Tony
> Sent: Monday, November 13, 2017 12:25 PM
> To: rfi at contesting.com
> Subject: [RFI] Leased Solar Panels: Operator Responsibility?
>

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