Protecting Solar Power Generation Systems from EMP or Solar Event

[@scarygary3569]

Thanks Doc for helping FULLY protect my Titan generator. It's nice not having it sitting in EMP bags when not in use. I even added a EMP Shield to it a few months ago along with your ferrites&AC/DC Trap devices 💪

[@Antique803]

New subscribers say “where have you been all my life?”

[@disasterprepper]

Thank you!

[@robertmeyer4744]

I have off grid cabin and HAM shack. found extra benefit of filters and ferrite. My charge controller is Morningstar. during the dat it makes hash noise in my receive. the filter cut it down a bunch . also when transmitting it keeps RF out of controller . this is man made EMI/RFI . some years back a solar event took the west coast power grid off line . Panel box surge protectors are now required in US buy NEC. very easy to add . Very good video with great info.

[@disasterprepper]

Thanks. I'm glad that the info was useful.

[@jeffbuhrman5362]

I appreciate you taking the time and utilizing the correct terminology. Typically non-solar specialists misuse a lot of the terminology. However, the one thing I see is the incorrect placement for the practices I've seen (I can only speak for Mid-West and NABCEP certification instructions). The inverter feeds into the bottom of the breaker panel (secondary panel may be in use with hybrid grid-tie/battery backup inverters like Solar Edge), while the grid feeds into the top of the breaker panel. If the solar generated electricity gets all the way through the breaker panel and feeds all the energy needs of the house, then it goes through the meter and out to the grid. Thus, enacting the bi-directional meter.

[@disasterprepper]

Yes, thank you, that detail wasn't shown on my rudimentary sketch.

[@briterobert]

Pardon the very late reply to this. What's the solution? Where should the SPD go in such a situation? Between the grid and the breaker panel, between the solar and the breaker panel or both?

[@gregorythomas333]

Excellent video...I have been waiting for this one...thank you for making it!

[@disasterprepper]

You're most welcome.

[@rickkephartactual7706]

Thank you very much

[@josephaparisi]

Create video would it be possible to jump on a phone call with you just to figure out what you might have that I could use to protect my solar system?

[@nomadtv6009]

Can you do one of these for vehicle solar?

[@Notpublished]

I think you were on vacation when I posted this question. If I have protected my load center would I need an SPD device on the AC side of my inverter. Also, I am using a combiner box for my panels. Would the ferrites go between the panels and the CB or the CB and the inverter? Thks

[@johnsonchen7485]

Would it make sense to install the HiSat Ferrites between the meter and xfer switch, rather than between xfer switch and breaker, and xfer switch and controller?

[@loganv0410]

Another great vid - Thanks

[@disasterprepper]

You're most welcome.

[@hornetscales8274]

I was under the impression that no surge protector will work in an EMP event, at least on grid power: the surge works too fast for them to react. What I question is how a panel will fare while in storage, not hooked up to anything? (I don't yet have a Faraday cage to hold them Like I do the charge controllers: I'm keeping it all aside as a last-ditch power backup) Any thoughts on unshielded panels in storage? I've heard good and bad about it.

[@disasterprepper]

The purpose of the ferrites is to help slow the E1 pulse so that the SPD has time to turn on. As for solar panels, the only test that I know of showed that panels that didn't have wires attached survived. Of course, you can always wrap them in foil or conductive cloth for added security.

[@Snailmailtrucker]

@@disasterprepper That answered my questions about my Solar Panels. I have spare panels that will not be connected to anything ... I just wanted to know how to protect them ! Thanks

[@bullwhitaker5827]

Will this solar system protection setup protect the circuit boards/electronics in the inverter and charge controller?

[@JFSteinman]

How would you protect a Tesla solar/powerwall system and its gateway that is part of a virtual powerplant system from the utility?

[@Vicenteroman]

Same question lol I have

[@Notpublished]

Thank you, this might be a silly question. If I have protected my load center would I need an SPD on the AC side of the inverter? I am also using a combiner box, would the ferrite go between the combiner box and the inverter or between the solar panels and the combiner box? Thank you

[@davidheath8577]

I see how the ferrites protect the long electrical lines. However, won’t the EMP kill the Inverter, Charge Controller, Batter Management System, etc?

[@disasterprepper]

It's possible that the radiated energy from the EMP would damage them directly, but the conducted surge coming in on the long wires is the greater threat.

[@AveRage_Joe]

Hey Doc, Its a few years later and wondering if this information is still current or has anything changed. What suppressor would you recommend for Lithium Battery Banks(due to the bms) or would your vehicle Kit work for that? I am working on a KZbin video for my channel! Thanks again

[@fmims]

Your books and videos are well done. (I cited you in my forthcoming science column in MAKE magazine.) Question: Please comment on the ability of solar panels to withstand an EMP, particularly the fast risetime initial pulse.

[@disasterprepper]

Thanks for citing me in your column. As for solar panels, the only test I know that was done on solar panels showed that standalone panels survived the EMP (done in a simulator), but those connected to long wires were damaged if they didn't have protection.

[@Devin82m]

Thanks!

[@pt5488]

Some say to wrap conductors through the ferrites 3 time for better filtering. Is this necessary? Is their a real or minimal benefit? And for what applications? Solar? General use? Please elaborate.

[@johnhufford4677]

What about the EMP’s E1 effecting the Micro inverters on the roof? Would it effect them?

[@ricksargent8754]

Hi I was wondering if you have any opinions on the emp shield products? Mahalo

[@Tedsting82]

Would this also work for all components of a solar panel and battery bank backup system against a level 1 EMP as well?

[@tonyl3762]

What about portable solar panels meant to be used in conjunction with power banks (e.g. Jackery, EcoFlow, Bluetti, etc.)?? Is such panel subject to EMP damage when the panel is disconnected from everything? Also what about charger cords to radios, power banks, etc. ? Are they subject to EMP damage when disconnected from everything?

[@AveRage_Joe]

Awesome video and info Thanks! Quick question...For the long solar runs from panels to charge controller, are the broadband ferrites capable of multi strings in parallel? For example I have my solar combiner near the charge controller which combines 8 strings. Thats a total of 16 wires not including the frame ground. Which leads me to next question, can that ground also be included. If I need a separate ferrite for each string I may have to series another panel to reduce the amount of strings lol. (side note: may do that anyway) Thanks again for your work. Long time follower of sus observer and thats how I found you!

[@disasterprepper]

Yes, you can put multi-strings in a single broadband ferrite. I have some as large as 1" inner diameter for this purpose. You just want to make sure you have the + and - in the same ferrite. If possible, the ground should also be included in the same ferrite.

[@AveRage_Joe]

@@disasterprepper Awesome! Kinda what I thought but wanted your expert advise! Thank you very much for the reply!

[@jacqueskraaijenbrink4817]

I have an older system, but it works very well. In my case I have several strings in series. The length between de first panel en the last from each series is 40 feet. Is it not necessary to use more ferrites? For example bij the first one from each series?

[@disasterprepper]

Hi Jacques, yes, for very long string connections, putting ferrites close to the panels is recommended. Many people put a broadband ferrite at each panel for additional protection. I just covered the basics in this video.

[@jerryfreeman3913]

Hi Dr. Bradley, In the centralized inverter configuration you show the array feeding both the charge controllers and the inverter at the same time. In my system the array feeds the charge controllers which then feeds the inverter. Should I put the Shaffner filter before or after the charge controllers? I'm guessing before, but would like confirmation, please.

[@disasterprepper]

Yes, the filter would go between the PV array and the charge controller.

[@jerryfreeman3913]

Much obliged! Outstanding videos, BTW.

[@LorneChrones]

Would you not want to move the High-Sat ferrites (HSF) *after* the SPD? You want to encourage the EMP/transients currents to flow into the SPD (and then to earth GND) and not the remaining house wiring. Thus by putting the SPD first then the HSF after the SPD, you force the currents to go into the SPD instead. Plus any maximum clamping voltage that the SPD peaks at will be filtered down because of the HSF. Another question, would adding fast reaction time breakers/fuses with the SPDs provide any additional benefit? Maybe to extend the life of the SPD by halting transients right after the SPD starts to crowbar? Otherwise excellent video, I'd be interested in a video comparing/testing different surge protector strips to see if they have any complementary protection (I'd imagine that a random 700J surge protector can't completely protect against EMP/Solar flare transients).

[@disasterprepper]

It's a good question. The reason you put them before is that the high-sat ferrites are designed to soften and spread out the very fast transients, allowing the SPD time to turn on to suppress.

[@LorneChrones]

@@disasterprepper Ah I see, so the SPD is just a bit slow for some of the higher frequency transients, but having the HSFs before prevent any transients propagating until the SPD is fully on.

[@RightlyFree]

Dear Dr. What about the PV panels themselves.. wouldn't they burn if same 1859 CME occur ? Last week the sun did greater by 10 times but not in earth direction.

[@disasterprepper]

The best protection for the panels is probably large broadband ferrites, one around each pair (+/-) of wires. See disasterpreparer.com/product/emp-ferrites/

[@calvinbarlow8947]

Will the ferrites and filter on the wires coming from a micro-inverter array interfere with power-line communication between the micro-inverters and their data logger? In my case I am using Enphase IQ7+ and IQ Envoy.

[@disasterprepper]

If the ferrites are placed around the wire bundle, they will only suppress common-mode transients, not differential signaling. If you put ferrites around just the signal wires (not bundling in their returns), they can interfere with communications.

[@calvinbarlow8947]

@@disasterprepper Just for clarity: Enphase uses L1, L2, and G in their cables, so these three conductors are the only conductors pulled to the array. The Enphase Envoy uses the line conductors to communicate(signaling) with the micro-inverters. So if I put the ferrite over both L1 and L2 I will not interfere with the communication between the two(micros & Envoy)?

[@disasterprepper]

@@calvinbarlow8947 Hi Calvin, a common-mode ferrite would go over the L1, L2, G bundle of wires (one ferrite over all three wires). The current flowing out any one of the wires would have to return by one of the others, making the current differential. A ferrite around the bundle wouldn't affect those differential signals or power in any appreciable way. Rather, the ferrite would suppress signals that became common to all the wires (such as a radiated pulse). With all that said, I'm not familiar with the details of Enphase products, so please don't treat my comments as expert or professional advice. I would encourage you to reach out to Enphase to address your specific concerns and questions. In other words, I'm just sharing my thoughts with you, not providing engineering advice.

[@FilAmGabe]

Do you recommend a company that makes a surge suppressor called "EMP Shield" They have a model for the Philippines

[@disasterprepper]

I haven't studied their many products in any detail. I would encourage you to contact them to see if it meets your desired specifications.

[@newworld1388]

How does a person protect a motorized wheelchair or scooter from a EMP or solar event

[@disasterprepper]

When not in use, it can be covered with conductive cloth (or any kind of conductive barrier). When in use, you could use ferrites around the power wires, but it's not a guarantee that it would be protected. With that said, the wheel chair motor is quite robust to RF energy. It would be the solid-state circuitry, if there is any, in the control and display systems that would be most vulnerable, and that would be difficult to protect without analyzing the circuitry.

[@newworld1388]

@@disasterprepper thanks for the explanation

[@piotrekj.1277]

I do not understand.... :?