Magnetism and its effects on photovoltaic energy

Sjuan
Sjuan Registered Users Posts: 1
in Solar Beginners Corner #1
Hi, I just have a simple question: Does magnetism effect the capability of using photovoltaic energy?
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  • niel
    niel Solar Expert Posts: 10,300 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: Magnetism and its effects on photovoltaic energy

    welcome to the forum,
    only unless it is the sun's magnetism and it causes more photons to eject from the sun. magnetic fields themselves do not affect the operation of a pv and you can prove it by putting a magnet by one and see no difference.
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,642 admin
    #3
    Re: Magnetism and its effects on photovoltaic energy

    What is your specific concern/question?
    • Are you worried about a strong magnet? (as Niel says, should be no issues)
    • Strong AC fields (under transmission lines)? (could be an issue with wiring)
    • Solar Flares? (should not be an issue for off-grid solar systems)
    • Nuclear EMP? (probably radiation would be a bigger problem)
    • Lightning? (the most common problem. Good design can help, but damage to inverters/charge controller/appliances from direct strikes are likely)
    There are other issues (such as large currents for battery systems >6kW could have skin effect issues with wiring to inverter's DC input).

    And there are some people that seem to have health issues with magnetic fields. Those issues are typically more of an issue with AC fields (inverter output, appliances, etc.) vs the DC fields from solar arrays.

    And there are issues with electro magnetic interference (radio transceivers, AM receivers, etc.). And these are the same issues that people have with any electrically "noisy" stuff like Brushed Motors, electronics, etc.

    -Bill "why yes, I am an engineer" B. :roll:
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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