Hi Ray, Allan and All,
That is a very informative article. Our utility, American Electric
Power (AEP) is taking steps to deal with the problem before it
hits. This will include the ability to remotely disconnect areas of
the grid and reconnect them from other sources.
As I understand the issue, the EMP is caused by magnetic fields
streaming through our environment. As a generator creates power when
a wire cuts through a magnetic field, the moving field will create
currents and voltages in conductors. Long electrical power lines
will be strongly affected.
Also affected are the conductors in micro chips and other electronic
devices. The tiny conductors in computers can be burned by small
electrical impulses, as evidenced by the fact that care must be taken
when working inside a computer to ground your hand on the frame. A
potential, generated by walking on a nylon carpet and arcing from
your finger, can destroy your computer's processor. In a similar
fashion, the conductors in a great number of electronic devices are
susceptible to damage by potentials resulting from rapidly moving
magnetic fields. As micro chips are in so many products these days,
many things will not operate after a major EMP event, including the
electronic ignitions in automobiles.
In military context, an EMP may be generated in order to shut down a
society by producing a high altitude nuclear blast. It is an effect
that has been studied at length. We have not had any major,
naturally occurring EMP activity since the micro electronic age began.
My concern for the list is what the effect on PV systems will
be. Having a spare inverter may not help, because it could be
damaged even though it is not connected. But what about PV
modules? They have very small conductors within them. Could a
significant EMP produce enough potential to damage modules? If this
were to become an issue, who would be liable for the
damage? Lightning potential can be shunted to ground by proper
grounding procedures. I'm not sure the same would be true for
potential generated inside the busses of a module by a pulsed magnetic field.
It would be good to get some definitive information about these issues.
Drake
At 02:34 AM 3/20/2011, you wrote:
Hi Allan;
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/7819201/Nasa-warns-solar-flares-from-huge-space-storm-will-cause-devastation.html>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/7819201/Nasa-warns-solar-flares-from-huge-space-storm-will-cause-devastation.html
http://science.nasa.gov/heliophysics/big-questions/how-does-solar-variability-affect-human-society-technological-systems-and-the-habitability-of-planets/
http://science.howstuffworks.com/solar-flare-electronics.htm
http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/showthread.php?t=10548
Should I shield all my electronics under my lead batteries, or is
this our next Y2K non event?
Ray
On Mar 19, 2011, at 11:58 AM, Allan Sindelar wrote:
For those of us less aware of solar flare issues and what we might
expect that relates to PV, could someone provide a good link to educate us?
Thanks, Allan
Allan Sindelar
<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]
NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer
NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Positive Energy, Inc.
3201 Calle Marie
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
505 424-1112
<http://www.positiveenergysolar.com/>www.positiveenergysolar.com
On 3/19/2011 11:48 AM, R Ray Walters wrote:
Hi Drake;
No, I don't have answers, just more of your same concerns. I had a
high altitude (12,500 ft) installation damaged recently, possibly
by a solar flare in Feb; we lost a C40 charge controller.
At this point, I don't know if the flare was the cause or not, but
I would expect more problems at higher altitudes.
So far, my internet research says that the panels and batteries
would be ok, but we might expect damage to electronics similar to
the induced high voltages caused by lightning.
Would grounding help? (I, too, also considered the Faraday cage....)
NASA is predicting the solar storm of a generation for 2012-2013,
and I read of a similar EMP incident in the 1800s that set
telegraph equipment on fire.
I think very long utility lines and transformers at the ends of
those lines are the most vulnerable, so this could be more of GridTie issue?
R. Walters
<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]
Solar Engineer
On Mar 19, 2011, at 8:53 AM, Drake wrote:
Hello Wrenches,
I had an inquiry concerning the effect of EMP on photovoltaic
systems. We are heading for a period of solar activity that
likely will produce this effect. According to a local AEP
(American Electric Power) representative, the utility is spending
a lot of money to counter this anticipated
problem. Additionally, nuclear related issues are moving back to
the front burner.
It is clear that the pulse would damage an inverter, but possibly
it could be put in a Faraday cage. But a number of questions arise.
* Would the pulse damage the modules?
* Could the large currents and voltages induced by EMP damage
the conductors in the cells?
* Even if the inverters were surrounded by a Faraday cage,
would induced currents & voltages from the modules harm the inverters?
* Would series fuses and surge protectors be adequate protection.
Has any research been done in this area? Does anyone know
answers to any of these questions?
Thanks,
Drake
Drake Chamberlin
Athens Electric
OH License 44810
CO license 3773
NABCEP Certified PV
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