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Don in LA
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Solar Panel Interference

07/20/2009 10:47 AM

I recently had a 6,000 watt photo voltaic system installed on my roof. It is a hybrid system----I am net metering and I have battery backup. Since the system was installed I have a high pitch noise on my AM radio stations. The closer to the PV system, the more noise. The installer has tried trouble shooting but can't find any problems. Any ideas? Thanks.

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PWSlack
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#1

Re: Solar panel interference

07/20/2009 10:55 AM

An intermediate frequency within the inverter may be the same as, or close to, the intermediate frequency within the radio.

Remedial possibilities:

1: fit ferrite rings around the leads feeding the inverter.

2: Abandon long- and medium-wave AM transmissions for better quality sound on VHF-FM and digital radio.

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CoronaCameraMan
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#2

Re: Solar Panel Interference

07/20/2009 11:04 PM

Your neighbors may also be infested with the AM radio problem from your new installation, and any ham radio operators will surely find you and notify the FCC as your "noise" is no doubt in many other frequencies also.

It is frequently also found at stop lights, with LED lamps.

The newer drives may not have adequate spike suppression on power supplies or switching circuits. Installing MOV's to limit tranisent voltages is usually the answer, sometimes a power supply filter will drain away the transients which may also get into your computers, microwave oven and other electronic devices causing erroneous program failures and other upsets.

When you become the utility you assume all the responsibilities they have. The manufacturer / supplier of your system should be put on notice and required to fix the problem, which may get worse over time.

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ashoktoshniwal
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#3

Re: Solar Panel Interference

07/21/2009 3:58 AM

Dear Friend

Since you have battery backup, therefore just check the behaviour when inverter is switched off, FROM DC INPUT ITSELF. Chances are that the inverter is emitting some noise which is being picked up by AM radio. If this is not the case, then the cable connecting PV modules to battery and/or from battery to inverter is acting like an aerial and is picking up the noise. Pls revert back with results.

Thanks and regards

Ashok Toshniwal, Bangalore, India.
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Chankley
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#4

Re: Solar Panel Interference

07/21/2009 4:48 AM

Photovoltaic panels cannot be connected directly to batteries so there will be a switch mode regulator on the output of the panels. Inadequate RFI suppression in the regulator is probably the culprit as there will be current pulses through the panels which act as large antenna.

I would check the the system with the inverter switched off and only the batteries charging, then check with the inverter running and the panels isolated to see where the problem lies.
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ashoktoshniwal
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#7
In reply to #4

Re: Solar Panel Interference

07/21/2009 9:00 AM

Dear Chankley

I completely agree, just that I missed out the charge controller & you mentioned it so you got a point for good answer.

Thanks and regards

Ashok Toshniwal, Bangalore, India
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Randall
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#5

Re: Solar Panel Interference

07/21/2009 5:15 AM

I'd be surprised if this was a problem with all similar installations (but if there's a chance of finding others and checking it would narrow your search). You said that "The closer to the PV system, the more noise": can you get a small AM radio and localise the problem "area" more accurately?

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Boogieman145
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#6

Re: Solar Panel Interference

07/21/2009 8:37 AM

Just a thought as another possible answer.

Having recently installed my own small system I'm no expert, however in ringing out low voltage wiring using test tone and an induction coil I noticed the De sulfurating charge controller emits quite a bit of noise.

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Don in LA
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#8

Re: Solar Panel Interference

07/21/2009 2:47 PM

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I will forward the information to my installer.

Don

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Anonymous Poster
#9

Re: Solar Panel Interference

07/23/2009 2:50 PM

you can just sheeld your solar panel chearge controler, the problem will be solved subhajit bhattacharya E-mail: subha_rya@yahoo.co.in
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Anonymous Poster
#10

Re: Solar Panel Interference

09/08/2009 10:29 PM

Interesting stuff. I just had a 3KW system installed and AM radio is gone anywhere within 50 ft. of the inverter boxes(3). I do not have batteries. When the inverters are shut down, AM is normal. The instant any one inverter is activated, no AM. Any suggestions?
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maveric_manic
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#11
In reply to #10

Re: Solar Panel Interference

11/04/2009 10:04 PM

AM or Ancient Modulation picks up almost everything. Try shielding, EMI suppressors or maybe an active antenna.

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Anonymous Poster
#12

Re: Solar Panel Interference

02/19/2010 12:42 PM

I would love to know what brand & Model Inverters we are talking about here!
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Don in LA
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#13
In reply to #12

Re: Solar Panel Interference

04/15/2010 6:21 PM

Actually it is the charge controller, the Outback Flex Max 80. The owner of the installation company came over a couple of days ago to do some trouble shooting. Everything seemed to be wired OK so he called Outback. They told him that it is normal to have AM radio interference within 50'. I'm having problems at twice that distance. Outback advised that I install a Faraday shield/cage around the unit to cancel out the interference. Outback said that the finer gauge wire would be better. I'm just not sure about the spacing between the wires. I have some chicken wire that I will probably try. Right now, I'm also trying to think about how to make the cage look like something other than a chicken coop in my garage. Also, to totally enclose the unit would be a major task since it is attached to my wall. I guess I could see how 5 sides work from inside and then, if needed, put a layer of wire on the outside wall. I really have been considering raising some chickens but not in my garage. Any suggestions (about the Faraday shield)?

Thanks,

Don

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Users who posted comments:

Anonymous Poster (3); ashoktoshniwal (2); Boogieman145 (1); Chankley (1); CoronaCameraMan (1); Don in LA (2); maveric_manic (1); PWSlack (1); Randall (1)

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