Action Against Solar Panel Optimizer Causing Radio Interference

The German Bundesnetzagentur (BNetzA) reports in its official publication Amtsblatt 9 that a device from SolarEdge does not comply with the EU Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive. BNetzA indicates that the EU declaration of conformity is not in order and that the interference levels are too high. BNetzA therefore imposes a market-restricting measure on SolarEdge.

Optimizer

The device in question is a so-called optimizer (model P300, P370, P600, P600-M27) for solar panel installations. In accordance with Article 38 (4) of the EU Directive, BNetA has imposed a market restrictive measure for the German market. German market participants have four weeks to communicate their position on this to BNetzA.

Article 38

Article 38, paragraph 4 of the EU Directive reads as follows.

If the relevant economic operator [SolarEdge's representative in Germany] fails to take effective corrective action within the time limit referred to in the second subparagraph of paragraph 1, the market surveillance authorities [Bundesnetzagentur] shall take all appropriate interim measures to prevent the making available on their national market [Germany] of the prohibit or restrict equipment, or withdraw it from the market or recall it in the Member State concerned.

Market surveillance authorities shall immediately inform the Commission and the other Member States of these measures.

Many more products are not adequate

Last week, we published two articles on the results of EU EMC studies on solar panel installations and LED lighting respectively. This shows, among other things, that 75% of the investigated PV systems (solar panel installations) and 25% of investigated LED lighting do not meet the emission requirements of the EU EMC directive. In addition to technical requirements, the EU EMC directive also prescribes administrative requirements, for example with regard to the mandatory CE marking and the EU declaration of conformity.

With its measure, the German Bundesnetzagentur shows what the consequences of non-conformity can be. Incidentally, the imposed measure only applies to Germany, despite the fact that the applied directive is a European one. Other EU member states therefore decide independently whether they want to take similar measures. As mentioned above, other Member States will be informed of the German measure.

More information:

The publication of the German Bundesnetzagentur: Amtsblatt 9; Bonn, 12 May 2021 - https://www.bnetza-amtsblatt.de/download/59