[RFI] Solar and RFI issues

[k5hab at arrl.net]

Dave
Let’s review Solar. Solar is not a good investment.  The only thing that can make it palatable are tax benefits.  There is a 30% federal tax credit available.  Even with this credit in most cases it will take ten years or more to amortize your costs.  There are exceptions and more local tax incentives available. 
Most “high efficiency” solar controls cannot be made RFI quiet.  If you are purchasing a solar system ask to see previous installations and make sure they are RFI quiet.  Write in the contract (this goes for any electrical thing you are purchasing) a clause that says it will not interfere with your radios and will be as quiet as the systems you have inspected.
I have had a terrible time with a high efficiency America Standard HVAC systems. I have just finished two solar systems that are RFI quiet.
Light bulbs:  Some make noise and some do not.  The problem is you go to a big box store and purchase bulbs that you test at the store and they are quiet.  You go back to the same store and buy the same bulbs and they are noisy.  
I recently purchased forty plus LED fixtures to replace noisy florescence fixtures  from Super Bright LED and they assured me they would be quiet and I wrote it in the order with the man's name that they would be RFI quiet and they were quiet. 
You need to shop with your RFI detector and a bulb adapter plug.
How do you deal with RFI.  Hopefully someone in your area has a relationship with the local electric company and has been working through problems. It might be your ARRL Technical Specialist but someone at your local club knows who is the go to person. This is where you start.  Do as much work as you are able to do yourself in identifying the problem. Poll numbers, addresses, Screen, shots whatever you can do. If this does not work call your ARRL Technical Coordinator or Section Manager for help. If they cannot help they will refer you to the ARRL Newington.
Peter Naumburg 
N5YJ
Technical Coordinator South Texas Section ARRL
505-610-7800