[RFI] Leased Solar Panels: Operator Responsibility?

[Randy Standke]

I wonder if anything in the FCC rules address intentionally installing equipment in a manner known to cause RFI because doing so cuts costs.  I am specifically referring to SolarEdge solar power systems.  They know their standard installation of open loop (shaped) wiring between the DC to DC converters on each panel (they call them optimizers), combined with the little or no filtering these optimizers have, cause RFI to the HF bands up to about 1000 feet away.  And, they have documented a fix (twisting the wires and adding ferrites).  However, they will only apply this fix when a ham radio operator complains.  In my case, they have done this to about six houses near me, and I have at least two new houses to locate.

They say they plan to introduce a new optimizer in a few years that is clean.  But in the meantime, they are creating RFI polluted neighborhoods all over the country.  This may discourage future hams facing the choice of complaining to perhaps a dozen neighbors, or selecting another hobby that does not involve bothering other people.  This seems like the sort of thing the FCC should be protecting us from.

Randy KQ6RS

-----Original Message-----
From: RFI <rfi-bounces at contesting.com> On Behalf Of David Eckhardt
Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2018 12:02 PM
To: Hare, Ed W1RFI <w1rfi at arrl.org>
Cc: rfi at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [RFI] Leased Solar Panels: Operator Responsibility?

In the spirit of the FCC rules (I don't want to spend the time looking up the legalize of the wording in 47 CFR), the FCC holds the "System Integrator" responsible for the EMC/RFI solution.  If the equipment is rented, the rentee is the entity that assembled the equipment from many sources to offer, for rent, a complete solar system.  Therefore, the rentee is responsible for the EMC/RFI solution.

I ain't no lawyer.  However, I've worked in the EMC/RFI field for some 30 years addressing and solving problems and regulatory issues in a world-wide capacity.  I still consult in the field.

Dave - WØLEV

On Wed, Jun 27, 2018 at 6:17 PM, Hare, Ed W1RFI <w1rfi at arrl.org> wrote:

> In general terms, those that can exert control over a system are the 
> operators. This could include things like the ability to turn it off 
> if interference occurs or even would probably be extended in the minds 
> of regulators to include the people who make the decision to allow 
> this operation to occur on property they otherwise fully control.
>
> Ed, W1RFI
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: RFI [mailto:rfi-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Tony
> Sent: Monday, November 13, 2017 3:25 PM
> To: rfi at contesting.com
> Subject: [RFI] Leased Solar Panels: Operator Responsibility?
>
> All:
>
> In a case where a homeowner leases a solar panel system from a 
> manufacture that's causing RFI, who is the responsible operator in the eyes of the FCC?
>
> Tony -K2MO
>
> _______________________________________________
> RFI mailing list
> RFI at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi
> _______________________________________________
> RFI mailing list
> RFI at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi
>



-- 

*Dave - WØLEV*
*Just Let Darwin Work*
*Just Think*
_______________________________________________
RFI mailing list
RFI at contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi