[RFI] Covering Solar Panels To Assess RFI

[Steve Dyer W1SRD]

If this is a Solar Edge system, are they using "optimizers"? They are DC 
to DC, but still create switching noise. I'd look there first.
Unless your neighbor switched to a known quiet inverter it was a wasted 
exercise. SMA Sunnyboy or Fronius are known to be quiet central 
inverters. I have a Sunnyboy 7.7 with Hanwha Q Cell panels and it is 
silent. A panel with no built in electronics is not going to make any noise.
73,
Steve
W1SRD
> All:
>
> The the inverter on my neighbors solar panel installation was recently 
> replaced to reduce the RFI caused by the system. The swap only made a 
> slight change in the interference.
>
> This left the solar panels as the possible source of RFI so my 
> neighbor and I conducted a test we've done previously which involves 
> covering each panel with tarps to see what affect it would have on the 
> noise.
>
> We found that the RFI completely disappeared while the tarps were 
> blocking the Sun from reaching the panels. The noise returned when we 
> removed the tarps.
>
> I reported this to SolarEdge and they now believe that the panels are 
> the cause of the interference. They mentioned 2 other installations 
> that had this same problem with panels that were manufactured in China 
> by Hanwha and Trina.
>
> The takeaway is that solar panel systems need to be checked from top 
> to bottom when checking the system for interference. I'm hoping 
> SolarEdge will keep this in mind when they address their next RFI case.
>
> We also reported our test results to the company who leases the panels 
> to my neighbor. No response yet.
>
> Tony-K2MO
>
>
>
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