[RFI] Update: Tesla's Response to Solar Panel RFI

[Tony]

All:

I received the following updates from Tesla's Ms. Holmen regarding the 
RFI being caused by their solar panel installation. The good news is 
that she will be meeting with SolarEdge on Wednesday. The bad is that 
she continues to deflect and place the blame elsewhere.

See below.

Tony -K2MO

__________________________________________________

Ms. Holmen:

    With the information supplied to me by you and your neighbor
    it has been determined this is purely a civil dispute between
    neighbors. Tesla and SolarEdge have done their due diligence
    to assist in your interference concern.


I recommend that you speak with an FCC agent regarding this matter. It 
has nothing to do with a dispute - it's a matter of federal regulations. 
https://www.fcc.gov/about/contact 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.fcc.gov/about/contact__;!!Oq3sn3U_Ofw!OgagJz_-_eM1HnZ0bMZR153PFADFP7_TJqnYRA60c6EY2dchdtvKrYoiDamM$>

I've attached a letter that was sent to SolarEdge headquarters in 
February of 2017. The document explains the issue of radio frequency 
interference caused by solar panel installations and the FCC's role in 
such matters.

Response:

Hi Mr. Bombardiere,

Thank you for your email. I did speak with the FCC on Thursday of last 
week. They did advise that a homeowner has the right to install solar on 
their home regardless of potential interference. I advised the agent on 
the line about the amateur license being help by the neighbor, and they 
again informed me that the homeowner wishing to have solar is still 
allowed to install it on their home. Jonathan was the name of the agent 
I spoke to.

I do have a meeting with SolarEdge scheduled on Wednesday, December 18, 
2019 to discuss the troubleshooting options and what was installed on 
your neighbors home.

Both SolarEdge and Tesla did their due diligence on this matter 
attempting to fix this issue. I can inform you of the information I 
receive in this meeting if you would like me to.

The only options I have at this time are removing the solar system and 
cancelling your neighbors agreement or reducing his system size. Both of 
these options will come at a cost.

________________________________________________________________________


Ms. Holmen:

Thank you for taking the time to investigate further. With all due 
respect to the FCC agent, he should have informed you about the FCC 
regulations that pertain to electronic devices that cause RF interference.

If this same Tesla installation was causing interference with Fire or 
Police communications, the FCC would shut the system down immediately 
until the problem was fixed.

While the customer has every right to have solar panels, I'm sure you 
understand that licensed FCC operators like myself have rights as well.

I want to thank you again for all you've done and continue to do to 
resolve this issue. I'm confident that SolarEdge can come up with a 
solution.

 > I can inform you of the information I receive in this meeting if you 
would like me to.

  Please do.

Response:

Hi Mr. Bombardiere,

Thank you for your email. I did inform the FCC hotline specialist about 
interference and about a neighbor with an amateur license.

When it comes to commercial areas, the city has regulations that Tesla 
would comply with. Your neighbor and you live in a residential area, 
therefore residential solar is allowed to be installed.

Fire stations, police stations and airports all have specific 
regulations and are not in the heart of residential areas. Should these 
be within a specific area, a city or township would block permitting and 
inspections for these situations. I hope that I am explaining this 
information clearly.

Please let me know if you have further questions. I will keep you 
informed regarding the conversation I have with SolarEdge.

Best Regards,

*Ashley Holmen  | Specialist, Executive Resolutions*

6611 Las Vegas Blvd S., Suite 200 , Las Vegas, NV 89119

p. (650) 546-8110 | aholmen at tesla.com <mailto:aholmen at tesla.com>