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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hi Folks,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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 I’m 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:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]><span dir=LTR></span>Custom built, removeable, ˝” wire mesh screens surronding each module (reduced insolation, I know)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]><span dir=LTR></span>All metal raceways, except intermodule wiring (covered by metal screening)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>3)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]><span dir=LTR></span>Farrite core coils and air coils between each series module<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>4)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]><span dir=LTR></span>DC High pass filters after combiner box at array and after DC disconnect in the garage (ground mounted system with 130ft wire run) <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>5)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]><span dir=LTR></span>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)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>6)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]><span dir=LTR></span>System totally disconnected from grid by AC transfer switch (I know, it’s crazy to buy a system and not grid-tie)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>7)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]><span dir=LTR></span>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)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>8)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]><span dir=LTR></span>Propane generator wired to system via knife switch disconnect and transfer switch<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Notes: I later got an order from the same client for an extra “back-up” inverter and charge controller which I happily supplied<span style='font-family:Wingdings'>J</span> 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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Good luck! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regards,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>James Reismiller<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer®<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Abundant Solar<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>541-231-8772<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>CCB#175919<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><img width=96 height=65 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image002.png@01CD246E.6484CE00" alt=Logo2007-for-outlook><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="http://www.abundantsolar.com/abundantsolar/Home.html">www.abundantsolar.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:17:31 -0500<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>From: Corey Shalanski <cshalanski@joule-energy.com><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>To: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Subject: [RE-wrenches] Solar Modules vs. Solar Flares<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Message-ID:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <CA+SmqZ34nmG-j9AdLB2kvEXG3NJOwkzC=415t8y556fKV87V_g@mail.gmail.com><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Greetings Wrenches,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I am a new member and have been listening in for the past couple months,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>very grateful to have found this amazing resource. Big Up to all involved!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>We have a doomsday-driven customer who is apparently concerned that next<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>year the sun will wipe out the very devices intended to harvest its energy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I have pasted a portion of his message below:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> "A NOVA special on PBS this evening indicated that the sun is entering<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>a phase of maximum activity, peaking in 2013, that could include coronal<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>mass ejections which could damage not only various components in the power<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>grid, but also most modern electronics in cars, cell phones, etc. My solar<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>powered back-up system is supposed to provide back-up power in the event of<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>loss of the power grid. Has any consideration been given to the effect of<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>solar flares or electro-magnetic pulse effects on solar panels, charge<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>controllers, inverters and associated components? I assume that the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>batteries themselves would be relatively unaffected, and that the inverter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>would probably be at highest risk for damage either from a surge from the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>power grid or from damage to IC chips from an electromagnetic pulse. Are<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>the individual solar panels particularly susceptible to such damage? Since<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>the charge controllers and inverter are housed in metal boxes, are they<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>essentially the same as Faraday cages, protecting the components contained<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>inside of their respective boxes?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> I realize that a sufficiently strong electromagnetic pulse,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>whether man-made or from the sun, will probably fry most electronic<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>devices. But I would consider spending a bit more if additional hardware,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>not contemplated in the current contract, might provide some additional<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>measure of protection."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I am wondering if anyone on the list has information on the potential<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>effects of increased solar activity on PV equipment. How would you respond<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>to this customer's concerns?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>-- <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Corey Shalanski<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Joule Energy<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>New Orleans, LA<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>