[Elecraft] Noise from Solar System

[Jim Brown]

On 2/6/2025 8:29 AM, John Pierce via Elecraft wrote:
> I am planning to install Solar on my house.  Any experience you have had
> regarding the inverter as an amateur radio noise source would be of real
> interest.

John,

It depends STRONGLY on the system, and to some extent, the installer. 
You've seen two inverters given positive reviews -- Enphase and Sunny 
Boy. Both are known to be RF quiet if installed properly. As has been 
noted, charge regulators that pulse the DC current produced by the 
panels to cause it to be VERY strong RF noise, can be a very strong 
noise source.

Proper installation requires twisted pair for the conductors carrying 
that RF-modulated DC, and all wiring for the system should be in steel 
conduit that is continuous and bonded to equipment and to ground at both 
ends of each run. PVC conduit protects the wiring, but lets the noise 
radiate to our antennas.

Several years ago, I ran the Kenwood talkie with wideband AM receive 
around the Power Wall installation of a neighbor and didn't hear any noise.

73, Jim K9YC