[RFI] SolarEdge Finds New Source of Solar System RFI

[Roger (K8RI)]

It depends on what you consider Active, but a Solar cell contains many 
elements converting sunlight into electric energy making them all active 
devices.  In addition there are may ways they can create noise including 
connections to the many crystals them selves.

73, Roger (K8RI)



On 6/2/2019 8:51 AM, Tony Brock-Fisher via RFI wrote:
> 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
>>
>>
>>
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-- 
Roger (K8RI)