Interest and the market for solar are currently growing rapidly, and thousands of new facilities are built every year in the country. At the same time, a discussion about solar systems as a potential source of electromagnetic interference has gained momentum. Now RISE, in collaboration with Dalarna University, Swedavia and Friendly Power AB, is starting up a research project to investigate emissions from solar plants.
– The ability to produce electricity with solar cells has improved significantly in recent years. But now there is also a discussion that solar systems can contribute to an increased risk of attradio communication being affected or that sensitive electronic equipment is malfunctioning. Research in this area has so far been a low priority, while studies of equipment in the solar market have pointed to the existence of quality deficiencies in electromagnetic interference, EMC. Through our research, we want to replace uncertainty with knowledge and convey how electromagnetic interference can be handled to avoid problems, says Urban Lundgren, project manager at RISE.
Uncertainty about electromagnetic interference entails caution in how one relates to investments in solar cell installations. There are no clear recommendations for how to prevent EMC problems with radiated radio frequency interference, and this has led to restrictions on the expansion of solar in the vicinity of, for example, military installations, airports, hospitals and other socially critical infrastructure with sensitive electronics.
– We want to show how the design of the installation affects the EMC of the finished plant and disseminate that information to the solar cell installer industry. RISE will develop a methodology for verifying emissions from solar plants, and provide better insight into the extent and nature of the disturbances. In collaboration with Dalarna University, solar plants will then be built up and verified with measurements to provide an understanding of how the technical design and choice of equipment affects the plant’s total emissions, both radiant and grid-bound, says Urban Lundgren.
Within the project, the knowledge will be condensed into easily accessible data for the industry. Clear guidelines will be developed for the design of new facilities, procedures for evaluating existing facilities, recommendations regarding safety distances, and information for training of installers and customers.