Solar Panels & Power Quality

Solar panels will add more noise to the Electrical Distribution system.

Solar generation can have a positive impact on energy prices and global warming. As the generation of solar power increases, some tough questions about the generation process need to be answered. Solar power, unlike other power, is generated in direct current (DC). However, the electrical distribution system requires alternating current (AC). This means solar power must be inverted from DC to AC before the power can be usable. However, inverting DC to AC creates "switching noise” and power pollution on the fundamental waveform. Other nonlinear loads can also generate the same switching noise in the facility, such as the HVAC system, appliances, motors, VFD's, and EV charging stations.

As a nonlinear load, the solar inverters generate switching noise to the electrical distributions system. At the same time, the inverters are being negatively impacted by the noise from other nonlinear loads in the facility, such as HVAC, VFD’s, and LED lighting.

Untreated noise freely propagates in the electrical system from load to load, including the inverters – causing potential harm to the electrical loads, resulting in erratic behavior, decreased longevity, lower efficiency, etc.

The damaging effects of noise may not be seen instantaneously, but it’s a slow process altering the capacitive reactance of the unit. As the capacitive reactance decreases, the inverter is prone to attract more transients, and thus its premature damage. On average, a typical residential solar installation requires upwards of $3000 for an inverter repair and replacement, and it is crucial to protect your investment with suitable noise filters.

Our filters are specifically designed to remove the switching noise generated by the solar inverters and protect your residential/commercial facility from noise and transients. Our filters also protect the solar inverters and increase their longevity. The filters have an additional high-frequency noise module that can attenuate noise in the 10kHz range. 10kHz noise is substantial enough to malfunction the sensitive electronic loads in your facility. All our filters are UL listed, CSA EMI filters, and are Made in the USA.

EV charging station with solar installed on roofs is the worst combination. Solar inverters are also nonlinear loads that generate continuous noise to the system. The EV and Solar inverter combination further amplifies the electrical noise, causing significant detrimental effects on your system. Unattended noise in the system can strengthen further to generate high-energy transients in the system. The transients are large enough to damage your equipment, just like instantly.

In a nutshell:

• EV and Solar inverters are noise generators in any facility
• The noise can cause detrimental effects to both the user and the power grid