[Greenbuilding] Photovoltaics and EMFs

[Stephen Collette]

Hi Dan, David and all,

There are Building Biologists who focus on measuring and mitigating EMFs of all frequencies, including dealing with PV. I am not one of those guys. My focus is on the healthy building materials, building science, natural construction, green building, (hence hanging out with all you cool folks). I am trained in EMF inspections, but it’s not my strength. So I don’t want to talk out of my wrong orifice and give someone bad advice. 

Depending on where you live in Canada and the US, there are a variety of Building Biologists who do this and are fluent in measuring and mitigating. 

Another question was posted about mitigating. You simply can’t just “fix” EMFs, high or low. You need to measure before and after and oftentimes during, depending on what you are doing. Shielding and faraday cages are super dangerous and can in fact amplify exposures if not properly installed and grounded. (Geek alert! Because they can act like a ground and draw fields to them, instead of redirecting fields away from whatever it is trying to shield and protect, thereby amplifying exposure.) Again, I don’t do that because I don’t do the measuring enough to feel I can confidently help people, because it is risky, very risky. The concern is there are tons of folks out there with meters and tin foil hats making things worse. It’s no different than the hippie days of buildings with folks having a tiny clue and not enough knowledge, made crappy mould farm houses (domes anyone?). I would recommend looking for a Building Biologist who specializes in EMR testing and mitigating. I do not make any money by saying that either. 

As for David’s comments of keeping things away from sleeping spaces, and sensitive folks absolutely correct. If it is a low frequency, or very low frequency field, then it is on the wiring, and that can impact whole circuits. 

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





> On Jun 5, 2018, at 2:00 PM, greenbuilding-request at lists.bioenergylists.org wrote:
> 
> Stephen,
> 
> My question is focused on PV arrays on roofs, though any actual measurements of things like inverters and batteries is germane. From all of the replies there?s not a single one that specifically can say the?ve measure EMFs coming from PV arrays, let alone EMFs from those arrays getting into homes. Given your background I think you just might be the logical candidate to provide such measurements, though anyone with a standard EMF tester can do it. 
> 
> Bear in mind that with the rapid advances in inverter technology that PV arrays can now be configured in DC from low voltage to up to 600 volts (this does not take into consideration commercial scale inverters.) And micro-inverters allow for AC transmission. 
> 
> Unless there?s solid data to suggest otherwise I don?t think that PV technology is any more radiation intensive that what?s found in standard household wiring and appliances. 
> 
> Inverters might be a different situation and if they do emit high levels of any form of radiation then they could be enclosed in a radiation barrier. 
> 
> FYI, for grid-tied solar the load side is from the grid, not the inverter, unless it has battery back-up potential and only when drawing from the batteries will the draw be ?through? the inverter. All off-grid systems rely on the inverter to provide AC power. DC direct systems don?t require an inverter. 
> 
> Dan

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