[RFI] Generac Solar System RFI Update

[Dave (NK7Z)]

Thanks for sharing!!!

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

If you are part of a society that votes, then do so. There may be no 
candidates and no measures you want to vote for, but there are certain 
to be ones you want to vote against. In case of doubt, vote against.
Robert A. Heinlein

On 3/25/25 14:49, K9MA wrote:
> 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
>