[RFI] Noise from Generac Solar controllers?

[Tony]

Ken:

I know of several hams who are experiencing RFI caused by Generac home 
solar. In each case, the interference turned out to be emanating from a 
neighbors installation. In one particular case, Mark N1UK, experienced 
RFI from a neighbors system located 400 feet from his home. His neighbor 
had the system installed mid-summer I believe and I don't know if the 
issue was resolved. You can find Mark's contact info on QRZ.

Most home solar systems share like-components so they all have the 
potential to cause RFI regardless of the brand. At least one company 
specifically warns against installing solar panel systems near ham radio 
installations and that's SolarEdge. The quote below was taken from a 
SolarEdge document titled:  "Installing a SolarEdge System near an 
Amateur Radio System".

It says in part:

"/due to the afore-mentioned factors and to the higher sensitivity and 
physical layout of HAM radio equipment, we have seen in the past 
installations where the noise level measured by HAM radio operators was 
above the urban ambient noise especially, in the 6M band and lower 
frequencies, while having a much lower noise level on the 2M band. 
*Therefore we do not recommend the installation of SolarEdge systems at 
sites where HAM radio equipment is installed. *
/
/
/
For what it's worth, I contacted Generac on N1UK's behalf and the gist 
of the conversation was that their equipment meets all FCC requirements 
which is the standard answer you'll get from most if not all solar 
equipment manufacturers. I'm sure you'll get the same answer if you ask 
your Generac salesmen about RFI.

Best of luck,

Tony -K2MO/
/
/
/







On 12/16/2021 12:06 AM, Ken Bandy, KJ9B wrote:
> Hi all.  I am contemplating having a “PowerHome Solar” power system
> installed at my house, and am a little concerned about possible RF noise
> generation from the system.  This system uses a Generac controller.  Does
> anyone have any experience with a system using a Generac controller?  I know
> early inverters were often RF noisy, but I’m hoping that the later models
> have addressed noise generation.
>
> Any input is appreciated.
>
> 73,
> Ken, KJ9B
>
>
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