[Greenbuilding] Photovoltaics and EMFs

[Stephen Collette]

Hi Dan and everyone,

DC electric fields are generated by static electricity, lightning and such. 
DC magnetic fields are found in the ground typically, that’s our earth’s magnetic field. Strength can vary if iron ores or other amplifiers are below the house.

AC magnetic fields occur when there is AC flowing (current) through a wire. (considered low frequency EMF)
AC electric fields are an indication of the presence of electrical pressure across a wire/area. (considered low frequency EMF)

High frequency or microwaves are when the AC magnetic and electric fields combine to create EMF Electromagnetic fields. These happen within a few wavelengths out from the source where they combine to create one wave form.

When converting DC to AC, transformers/inverters of any kind can generate a significant amount of AC fields, as well as VLF (Very Low Frequency Fields), which is the harmonic noise on the sine wave, which makes for non smooth waves, making your computer crap out. Proper installation of photovoltaics should hopefully resolve most of that since everyone wants clean power. That said, if your PV installer doesn’t understand clean frequencies on the occupant load side, you should have someone different install your PV. Some equipment is also worse than others. Measurements are required on all installations since wiring errors can also amplify these issues. 

All of these can have impacts on human health. Some people are more sensitive to some of these than other people. They all add to the body burden of biological exposures, chemical exposures, particulate exposures and EMF exposures. 

Gratuitous plug: 

I do teach IEQ and EMR for Designers and Builders, a 4 day course in Santa Fe, NM through the International Institute for Building Biology and Ecology. We do not wear tin foil hats. Everything is based on measurements and science and research. 

I hope that helps.

Stephen

Stephen Collette 
BBEC, BBNC, LEED AP, CAHP, BSSO
Principal
Your Healthy House 
Indoor Environmental Testing & Building Consulting
http://www.yourhealthyhouse.ca <http://www.yourhealthyhouse.ca/>
stephen at yourhealthyhouse.ca <mailto:stephen at yourhealthyhouse.ca>
705.652.5159

> 
> Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2018 09:11:45 -0700
> From: Antonioli Dan <solardan26 at gmail.com <mailto:solardan26 at gmail.com>>
> To: Green Building <greenbuilding at lists.bioenergylists.org <mailto:greenbuilding at lists.bioenergylists.org>>
> Subject: [Greenbuilding] Photovoltaics and EMFs
> Message-ID: <6CBEFDF7-661F-440F-940C-F62326F5E0D0 at gmail.com <mailto:6CBEFDF7-661F-440F-940C-F62326F5E0D0 at gmail.com>>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
> 
> Someone recently told me that you shouldn?t put PV systems on roofs because they produce a massive and unhealthy amount of EMFs that get into your home. They heard this from a naturopathic doctor and were pretty much convinced of it. I?ve done a casual search online for articles that would address this but there?s not much and the test results seem inconclusive. I pointed out that if they were concerned about EMFs they should consider all of the AC wiring in their home and all of the appliances, etc. An electric stove kicks out a lot of EMFs, but people tend to obsess over specific things, like smart meters, etc. 
> 
> Has anyone researched PV and EMFs? Or measured it?
> 
> Dan Antonioli
> Laytonville Ecovillage

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