emp protection

t00ls
t00ls Solar Expert Posts: 250 ✭✭✭
in General Solar Power Topics #1
I have been thinking about this lately with all the things happening in the world,the possibility of a nuclear emp is as real today as it ever has been.

I would like to know if solar panels are subject to being fried by such an emp, and what kind of things could we do to protect our last resort to power, including inverters.

I know I could build a faraday cage for the inverter,but what about a circuit that could disconnect it from the grid...sort of a early failure device

any thoughts are greatly appreciated
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: emp protection

    I think they will act like a large diode junction, and fry. Any anything connected to a couple of inches of wire, will fry. Maybe a screened enclosure would save them, but it would reduce the light they get too. I'll just keep a couple spares wrapped up in foil.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    #3
    Re: emp protection

    You know, if you're living close enough to a nuclear detonation that the emp will fry your panels you probably have other things to worry about that are more serious. If "they" are going to nuke the world, there's not much "we" can do about it.
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Re: emp protection
    Cariboocoot wrote: »
    You know, if you're living close enough to a nuclear detonation that the emp will fry your panels you probably have other things to worry about that are more serious. If "they" are going to nuke the world, there's not much "we" can do about it.

    Well, I don't think that's true. A high altitude burst can EMP thousands of miles radius, and all folks on the ground would notice (if any were looking 90,000 feet high) would be a bright flash, and all electronics fail. That's the real nukular nightmare. Can you imagine a world where only pre 1970s WV's are all that run ? No lights, no food shipments, no water. Zombie land here I come.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    #5
    Re: emp protection

    I missed the first two nuclear detonations, but as the man who fell off the Empire State Building said when he passed the 50th floor on his way down: "No problem so far". :p

    As for living in a world where only pre-70's VW's will run ... when do we start? :p

    No, seriously: there's more important things to worry about and plan for than having your panels fried by E-M pulse. Maybe concentrate your efforts on a little political pressure to eliminate the possibility?

    I hate the "survivalist" mentality. The only parts of civilization that bothers me are the uncivilized bits. If the end comes, I'll paint a big target on myself and walk around saying "shoot me first".

    Sorry - getting political.:blush:
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  • dwh
    dwh Solar Expert Posts: 1,341 ✭✭✭
    #6
    Re: emp protection

    This has been discussed here before:

    http://forum.solar-electric.com/showthread.php?t=5524


    And no, it doesn't show up on the forum search...but, as Bill has said many times, you can put this into google and it'll work:

    "emp site:www.wind-sun.com"
    (without the quotes)

    http://www.google.com/search?q=emp+site%3Awww.wind-sun.com&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
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