[RFI] Another Solar Panel RFI Victim

[Hare, Ed, W1RFI]

There is an important factor here to keep in mind.

PV systems are regulated by Part 15 of the FCC's rules.  Under those rules, the manufacturers of devices that generate RF noise are required to do the following:

Meet FCC Part 15 limits for radiated emissions above 30 MHz.

Meet FCC Part 15 limits for conducted emissions onto the AC mains below 30 MHz.

Meet FCC labeling requirements.

Market products under either a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity or, alternatively, FCC Certification.  Most manufacturer use the SDoC process.

These are the SOLE requirements of the manufacturers.  If a device meets these requirements, the OPERATOR of a Part 15 device must use it in a way that does not cause harmful interference to licensed radio users.  From a legal perspective, it the first requirements are met, a manufacturer is not obligated to do anything to address interference.

Solar Edge does, including the funding to replace entire systems in the field.  It assumes that responsibility on behalf of its customers.

73, Ed, W1RFI
ARRL Lab

From: RFI <rfi-bounces+w1rfi=arrl.org at contesting.com> on behalf of Tony <73guddx at gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, December 10, 2022 8:16 PM
To: rfi at contesting.com <rfi at contesting.com>
Subject: [RFI] Another Solar Panel RFI Victim

All:

A few years ago, I posted a video on solar panel RFI and it's affect on
HF. Since then, I've heard from many hams who've experienced the same
issue. Most send emails but a few post comments on my Youtube channel
like the one below received yesterday from MI5UTC in Ireland:

"I see exactly the same here with my recently installed SolarEdge
system. My IC7300 is pretty much unusable during the day until it gets
dark."

One of the saddest comments was received last year from a 15 year old SW
listener Nick:

"I'm only 15, and super into MW and SW radio, my parents installed solar
panels only a few years ago, and I knew it would cause interference. At
least by nightfall they shut off for dxing."

The common denominator in nearly all of these solar panel RFI cases
(including my own) are systems manufactured by SolarEdge. My case with
this company is 6 years old and has yet to be resolved. See:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9awWs4mwC4

Thankfully, the ARRL continues to work with SolarEdge to find a solution.

Tony -K2MO


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