Hi Folks, Long time member, first-time poster. We installed an EMP-proof (to the best of our ability) PV System last year designed by our own engineer Kirk, who Im hoping will chime in on the conversation. Our client, a wealthy physicist was very concerned about solar flares, and EMP weapons. The main idea we came back to was complete magnetic shielding for the system. Here are some of the strategies we employed:
1) Custom built, removeable, ½ wire mesh screens surronding each module (reduced insolation, I know) 2) All metal raceways, except intermodule wiring (covered by metal screening) 3) Farrite core coils and air coils between each series module 4) DC High pass filters after combiner box at array and after DC disconnect in the garage (ground mounted system with 130ft wire run) 5) Magnum MNSPD surge suppressors on combiner, DC buss bar and AC output (These alone would provide a modest amount of protection, especially on the AC side, if grid tied) 6) System totally disconnected from grid by AC transfer switch (I know, its crazy to buy a system and not grid-tie) 7) All wiring, inverters and system components housed in separate metal enclosures and bonded (We used Midnite Solar battery boxes to house the Magnum inverter, Outback CC and power panel) 8) Propane generator wired to system via knife switch disconnect and transfer switch After installing this system, I ordered a few extra Midnite MNSPD suppressors for my home and PV systems. Suppressors are an easy, modest amount of protection you could offer your concerned client, in my opinion. The only way to test the effectiveness of such strategies is either hire a testing company (expensive, I believe), or wait for one of these events. Notes: I later got an order from the same client for an extra back-up inverter and charge controller which I happily suppliedJ All of the EMP work we did almost trippled the system cost, which may be hard for some to swalllow. Some compromise between EMP protection and cost may be to just provide extra components which get stored in metal boxes until an event happens, then get them out and swap them for the fried ones. Good luck! Regards, James Reismiller NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer® Abundant Solar 541-231-8772 CCB#175919 Logo2007-for-outlook www.abundantsolar.com <http://www.abundantsolar.com/abundantsolar/Home.html> Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:17:31 -0500 From: Corey Shalanski <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: [RE-wrenches] Solar Modules vs. Solar Flares Message-ID: <CA+SmqZ34nmG-j9AdLB2kvEXG3NJOwkzC=415t8y556fkv87...@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Greetings Wrenches, I am a new member and have been listening in for the past couple months, very grateful to have found this amazing resource. Big Up to all involved! We have a doomsday-driven customer who is apparently concerned that next year the sun will wipe out the very devices intended to harvest its energy. I have pasted a portion of his message below: "A NOVA special on PBS this evening indicated that the sun is entering a phase of maximum activity, peaking in 2013, that could include coronal mass ejections which could damage not only various components in the power grid, but also most modern electronics in cars, cell phones, etc. My solar powered back-up system is supposed to provide back-up power in the event of loss of the power grid. Has any consideration been given to the effect of solar flares or electro-magnetic pulse effects on solar panels, charge controllers, inverters and associated components? I assume that the batteries themselves would be relatively unaffected, and that the inverter would probably be at highest risk for damage either from a surge from the power grid or from damage to IC chips from an electromagnetic pulse. Are the individual solar panels particularly susceptible to such damage? Since the charge controllers and inverter are housed in metal boxes, are they essentially the same as Faraday cages, protecting the components contained inside of their respective boxes? I realize that a sufficiently strong electromagnetic pulse, whether man-made or from the sun, will probably fry most electronic devices. But I would consider spending a bit more if additional hardware, not contemplated in the current contract, might provide some additional measure of protection." I am wondering if anyone on the list has information on the potential effects of increased solar activity on PV equipment. How would you respond to this customer's concerns? -- Corey Shalanski Joule Energy New Orleans, LA
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