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
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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