<html><head></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">Hi Drake;<div><br></div><div>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. </div><div>At this point, I don't know if the flare was the cause or not, but I would expect more problems at higher altitudes.</div><div>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.</div><div>Would grounding help? (I, too, also considered the Faraday cage....)</div><div><br></div><div>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. </div><div>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?</div><div><br></div><div><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: auto; -khtml-text-decorations-in-effect: none; text-indent: 0px; -apple-text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; orphans: 2; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; "><div>R. Walters</div><div><a href="mailto:ray@solarray.com">ray@solarray.com</a></div><div>Solar Engineer</div><div><br class="khtml-block-placeholder"></div><div><br class="khtml-block-placeholder"></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></span>
</div>
<br><div><div>On Mar 19, 2011, at 8:53 AM, Drake wrote:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><blockquote type="cite"><div>
Hello Wrenches,<br><br>
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. <br><br>
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.
<ul>
<li>Would the pulse damage the modules?
</li><li>Could the large currents and voltages induced by EMP damage the
conductors in the cells?
</li><li>Even if the inverters were surrounded by a Faraday cage, would
induced currents & voltages from the modules harm the
inverters?
<ul>
<li>Would series fuses and surge protectors be adequate protection.
</li></ul>
</li></ul>Has any research been done in this area? Does anyone know
answers to any of these questions?<br><br>
Thanks,<br><br>
Drake <br><br>
<x-sigsep><p>
<font color="#0000FF">Drake
Chamberlin<x-tab> </x-tab>
<br>
Athens Electric<br>
OH License
44810<x-tab> </x-tab><br>
CO license 3773<br>
NABCEP Certified PV<br>
</font></p></x-sigsep></div>
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