[RFI] Solar Panel RFI Update From Tesla: 12/26/19

[Cianciolo, Paul, W1VLF]

Tony,

I did have a discussion with Ashley Holmen of Tesla, however the testing  you mention is not quite correct.
I asked for a typical optimizer to do some testing with here at the lab, but she is not able to provide.
Randy KQ6RS mentioned that he can lend one of these optimizers to the lab for testing.

My direct question to Ashley concerning the optimizers was for her to contact the engineering staff at Tesla and provide an answer to the question, does an optimizer generate noise, if any, when the line tie inverter is turned off.
And what exactly is the nature of the noise. I have not heard back on that request yet.

I received a PowerPoint presentation concerning noise generated by a SolarEdge P320  from Randy KQ6RS that looks very detailed but I have not had time lately read it thoroughly.
Randy did his testing with the optimizer "off" IE not producing an output to the AC inverter.  
I need to talk to both you (Tony) and Randy about this issue, and I apologize things get very hectic around the holidays.

Things I think need to be clarified:

1) What exactly is the nature of the noise that Tony has? How strong is that noise ?  Does it coincide with noises  seen Randy's PPT presentation?
2) Does the PV system near Tony actually still use the P320 ? My understanding from SolarEdge is that the all the optimizers have been swapped out to the "new spread spectrum" In fact changed out 2 times.
3) Assuming the noise Tony is hearing is being generated by a SolarEdge optimizer (P320 or spread spectrum), and radiated by the associate wiring of the PV system, is that high enough level to cause the interference at the level that Tony is seeing.

I will try to contact both Tony and Randy this morning for discussion.
I am emailing SolarEdge for more details on which optimizer is actually installed in the PV system near Tony.

73,

Paul Cianciolo, W1VLF
ARRL EMC Engineer

ARRL - The national association for Amateur RadioT
225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1400 USA 
Telephone: (860) 594-0392 
FAX: (860) 594-0259
Email: w1vlf at arrl.org
World Wide Web: www.arrl.org







-----Original Message-----
From: RFI <rfi-bounces+pcianciolo=arrl.org at contesting.com> On Behalf Of Tony
Sent: Thursday, December 26, 2019 6:15 PM
To: Rfi List <rfi at contesting.com>; Tony Brock-Fisher <barockteer at aol.com>
Subject: [RFI] Solar Panel RFI Update From Tesla: 12/26/19

All:

I received an update from Tesla's Ashley Holmen today. She once again said that Tesla and SolarEdge agree that they are not liable for interference caused by their solar panel systems.

However, she said that she spoke with ARRL engineer Paul Cianciolo and she is now waiting for his tests to be completed so they can determine what needs to be done to resolve the issue.

With FCC regulations being what they are, the outcome seems to depend on how much weight harmful interference carries.

Mentioning liability at every turn is concerning, but I suspect Tesla will work with the ARRL to find a solution. We shall see.

Tony -K2MO



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