"Chinese “kill switches” have been found hidden in American solar farms, prompting calls for Ed Miliband to halt the rollout of renewables.
"On Thursday, the Energy Secretary was urged to impose an “immediate pause” on his green energy blitz to review whether UK solar plants are also at risk.
"The components found in the US included cellular radios capable of switching off the equipment remotely, raising serious concerns about grid security, according to Reuters.
"They were found inside power inverters manufactured by unnamed Chinese companies.
"Power inverters are the key links between solar or wind farms and the rest of the power system, converting their electricity so the wider grid can use it."
I wouldn't trust that list. It includes Chilicon Power, allegedly based in Pacific Palisades, California. That's the LA neighborhood that burned down last winter. Not all of it: their address is in a small commercial (not industrial) building just east of one large fire zone. Google Street View shows that in 2023, the building was owned or leased by Generac, a Wisconsin-based maker of portable generators.
ReplyDeleteBefore you buy a "US-made" inverter, make sure there really is a factory in the US.
I was going to say... just because the HQ is in the US, doesn't mean that the inverters are made here.
ReplyDeleteSolar panels WITH inverters are mostly for industrial installations. MOSTLY. Converting from DC to AC is needed if you are going to transmit the power any distance. This is true even if just from a solar farm to the main connection facility.
Most people who don't put solar panels on their roofs don't have them that far from the house. Or you can put your inverted in a garden shed - depending on what the current state of the electrical code is.
MidNite Solar is designed and "assembled" in the US. I haven't looked in a while - I'm not in the best location for solar - but they had decent products.
Grid interactive will let you sell power to the grid, and have power if the grid goes down. Grid tie - which is what most people are selling - will shut you down if the power goes down.
Also don't buy the hype around lithium-ion batteries. They are used where weight is important. Your phone. Your laptop. Your car.
ReplyDeleteWeight is not an issue in your house unless you live in a motor home.
If you really want expensive "high tech" batteries, look at Iron Edison. Most people I know use good old-fashioned lead acid with automatic watering systems. Not car batteries, but batteries built for solar installations. Batteries like Rolls, or Trojan