[TowerTalk] Solar Power

[Jim Brown]

On 6/19/2014 4:16 AM, Tony Brock-Fisher via TowerTalk wrote:
> I'm considering converting to solar power for my home. A major concern 
> from the RF point of view is the potential problem of noise from the 
> large scale inverter used to convert the DC from the panels to AC for 
> the house and to be fed back on the grid. The potential installation 
> would use a Solar Edge SE7600A-US inverter, which is certified FCC 
> part 15 class B.

You are right to be concerned. Solar systems are notorious for 
generating big RF noise, but they can also be done very well. 
Unfortunately, FCC part 15 Class B isn't very stringent, so a certified 
product can still put out a lot of trash.

The installation methods also matter a lot. ALL wiring on the DC side 
should be twisted pair, all AC wiring should be twisted triplet (high, 
neutral, ground, or high, high, ground if 240V). Ferrite chokes wound 
following the guidelines for coax chokes in Chapter 8 of 
k9yc.com/RFI-Ham.pdf should be on both DC and AC wiring.

Your contract for the system should require that there be no RF noise, 
and you should withhold at least 1/3 of the total cost of the project as 
security.

73, Jim K9YC