[RFI] Generac Solar System RFI Update

[K9MA]

As I posted last August, I tracked down some severe RFI to a neighbor's 
Generac solar system, about 650 meters (0.4 mile) from my station. The 
homeowners and installer have, fortunately, been very cooperative. 
Generac, not so much. The system has been shut down since then, with 
Generac reimbursing the homeowners for lost production. Meanwhile, 
Generac has been promising that new RFI-free "optimizers" would soon be 
available. (These are boost converters installed near the panels to 
provide a constant voltage to the central inverter.) Originally, Feb. 
2025, now they have "no timeframe". Sometime last year, Generac assured 
the homeowners that, if the new optimizers didn't eliminate the RFI, 
they would replace the whole system with their new PWRcell system, 
claimed to be "FCC Compliant".

I can't find much information on the PWRcell system, but it appears to 
use a central inverter, like the current system. Whether it uses the 
same optimizers is unknown.

In any case, while I currently have no RFI from this system, it doesn't 
look like Generac is making any progress towards a real solution. This 
is really unfair to the homeowners who, after a substantial investment 
over a year ago have yet to get any benefit from their solar system. 
(They report that Generac doesn't respond to emails unless they "make a 
fuss".)

Should you learn of any of your neighbors considering installing a solar 
power system, I suggest trying to discouraged them from using a Generac 
one. Enphase, AP Systems, and SMA appear to be free of RFI, at least to 
a level one could detect in an urban environment.

73,
Scott K9MA

-- 
Scott  K9MA

k9ma at sdellington.us