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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?<br>
Thanks, Allan<br>
<br>
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<font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"><b>Allan Sindelar</b></font><br>
<small><a href="mailto:Allan@positiveenergysolar.com"><font
color="#000099" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"><u>Allan@positiveenergysolar.com</u></font></a></small><font
face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"><br>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic
Installer<br>
NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional<br>
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician<br>
<b>Positive Energy, Inc.</b><br>
3201 Calle Marie<br>
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507<br>
<b>505 424-1112</b><br>
<a href="http://www.positiveenergysolar.com/" target="_blank"><u>www.positiveenergysolar.com</u></a><o:p></o:p></span></font>
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<br>
On 3/19/2011 11:48 AM, R Ray Walters wrote:
<blockquote
cite="mid:2E505306-9D57-42A2-802E-95CA6C798920@solarray.com"
type="cite">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>
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<div>R. Walters</div>
<div><a moz-do-not-send="true"
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>
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<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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