[RFI] LEAFLET: ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE from SOLAR VOLTAIC ARRAYS

[Dave (NK7Z)]

Dave (W0LEV),

Good on you for writing this...  Hopefully it will cause change...

73, and thanks,
Dave (NK7Z)
https://www.nk7z.net
ARRL Volunteer Examiner
ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI
ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources

On 5/3/23 09:41, David Eckhardt wrote:
> Chris and Steven:
> 
> Your leaflet arrived in my email inbox via an amateur radio organization
> located in the UK.  It had made its way to members of the Radio Society of
> Great Britain and a few in that organization interested in the subject.
> 
> The leaflet that I am referring to can be accessed at:
> 
>       https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy17osti/67440.pdf
> 
> I am writing to you as I'm rather concerned about some of the statements
> and assumptions made in the leaflet.  Many are blatantly in error.
> 
> I am retired from the field of EMC/RFI where I practiced professionally for
> some 40-years (HP/Agilent/Keysite, StorageTek, Phillips Lab .....).  I
> still do a bit of consulting in the field and have a degree in physics.
> 
> I strongly recommend you have someone in your organization who is highly
> knowledgeable in RFI/EMC review this leaflet.  Important subjects with the
> leaflet in mind are Fourier Analysis (what constitutes a square wave),
> frequency domain signatures of high-speed digital and power switching,
> proper source isolation and decoupling, shielding (don't malign the Faraday
> Cage), basic electromagnetic theory, basic antenna theory, and many more
> associated subjects.
> 
> Once this is accomplished, have a re-read of the leaflet for technical
> accuracy.  I'd also suggest you consult the publications on the subject
> authored by ARRL.  Also consult the EMC/RFI division of ARRL for many
> real-life examples of severe interference caused by solar power
> installations.  After you have done so, I believe you will rewrite the
> leaflet with correct technical assumptions and conclusions regarding the
> severe EMC/RFI threat from solar power.
> 
> As it stands, this leaflet should serve as an embarrassment to the
> reputation of NREL!
> 
> Dave Eckhardt - WØLEV
> EMC Design & Test, LLC
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