[RFI] SolarEdge Finds New Source of Solar System RFI

[Tony Brock-Fisher]

Tony et al-

This sounds pretty hard to believe to me. The panels normally contain no 
active circuitry, so it's hard to see how they could be generating RFI.

The panels may have a series diode. Additionally, the cells themselves 
are really, really large diodes. The only thing I can think of is that 
they could be getting excited by high ambient RF, and then rectifying 
that RF to produce harmonics or possibly cross modulation products.

I have an AM BC station that is less than a mile, line of sight, from my 
QTH. During the day they transmit at 44kW. I have tons of RF all over 
the place, and it does cause lots of products with other BC stations and 
AC line modulated direct-diode supplies.

Just my opinion here...

-Tony, K1KP

On 6/1/2019 5:59 PM, Tony wrote:
> All:
>
> I recently spoke with an engineer from SolarEdge who said that they 
> discovered a previously unknown source of RFI which turned out to be 
> the solar panels themselves. They found that the panels were producing 
> noise while physically disconnected from the system at a few 
> installations.
>
> They are now working with the panel manufacturers Hanwha and Trina to 
> determine why a certain batch of their panels are producing RFI. The 
> goal is to locate installations with the defective panels and replace 
> them.
>
> Cumulative RFI from multiple panels is apparently enough to cause 
> serious RFI and may be the reason why my neighbors installation still 
> makes noise during?? the day while the system is turned off. It could 
> also be the reason why the choking the Optimizers had little effect.
>
> Tony -K2MO
>
>
>