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Joseph M. Zias
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- TL;DR Summary
- How will a Carrington event affect solar panels.
Has any research been done to determine the effect a Carrington Event (or close) solar flare would affect solar panels?
Solar panels, Carrington Event
- Thread starter Joseph M. Zias
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In summary: Causing Blackoutshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_Extreme_Solar_StormThere is some research that has been done into the potential damaging effects of a Carrington-style solar flare on modern solar panels. It depends on the location of the panels, as they may be more vulnerable to the EMP (electromagnetic pulse) caused by the flare. There is also the potential for an overload of the panels' MPPT inverters, which could cause excessive heating. Other potential failure mechanisms include damage to the junction between the panels and the inverters, and damage to the wiring between the panels and the inverters.
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Baluncore
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It will depend on the location of the solar panels.
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berkeman
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I would think the panels themselves would not have an issue, but the issues with the overall power grid and the solar panel system MPPT inverters connected to the grid would be the thing to discuss. @anorlunda is probably our local expert on this...Joseph M. Zias said:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrington_Event
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximum_power_point_tracking
- #4
Joseph M. Zias
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Granted location makes a difference. Let's assume the solar flare is widespread and a large number of solar panels are hit by the sun's energy. I believe most solar panels are still made from silicon or a silicon alloy. What happens to the junction? Could an overload cause excessive heating? What other failure mechanisms are there?berkeman said:
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berkeman
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What research have you done so far into the damaging effects of geomagnetic storms caused by solar flares? Also, do you have any background into how antennas work, and why the size of the antenna affects the frequencies that induce significant receive voltages at the terminals of the antenna?Joseph M. Zias said:
The EM effects of geomagnetic storms are lower frequency and hence longer wavelength in nature. So the power grid is at risk, and the terminal devices connected to that grid are as well (like the MPPT inverters that I mentioned earlier). But small devices themselves that are connected to the power grid are at lower risk, especially if they implement the typical protection methods for lightning and similar surge events. Does that make sense?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geomagnetic_storm
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anorlunda
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I have a friend who is perhaps the world's best expert on protecting the grid from solar storms. He worked on the problem for 30 years. I asked him to post here on PF, or to write us an Insight article. Alas, he declined. Here's what little I know.
There was major damage to the grid in Quebec in 1989. That really got the attention of the industry. Since then, they have worked very hard to assure that event can never repeat. Today, they are confident that they have it licked. Indeed, several times per year there is a solar storm that the press says, "may cause blackouts", but they don't. But it is impossible to prove a negative; similarly it is impossible to prove that there isn't a more powerful storm that could bring the grid down; so one can never say never. Indeed, there's nothing to prevent a solar storm so powerful that it kills all life on Earth. Do we care if the grid stays up after all the people are dead?
The primary threat vector to the grid due to solar storms is voltage gradients in the soil as streams of charged particles reach the Earth's high resistance surface and try to equalize. When power transmission lines can run for thousands of km, and the ground gradients can become as large as 1 megavolt per meter, it's not hard to visualize problems.
Here's an article on the topic. But it is behind a paywall, and I no longer have access to the full text.
https://spectrum.ieee.org/shielding-grids-from-solar-storms
Also see from 2003
Extreme Solar Storm Strikes Earth
There was major damage to the grid in Quebec in 1989. That really got the attention of the industry. Since then, they have worked very hard to assure that event can never repeat. Today, they are confident that they have it licked. Indeed, several times per year there is a solar storm that the press says, "may cause blackouts", but they don't. But it is impossible to prove a negative; similarly it is impossible to prove that there isn't a more powerful storm that could bring the grid down; so one can never say never. Indeed, there's nothing to prevent a solar storm so powerful that it kills all life on Earth. Do we care if the grid stays up after all the people are dead?
The primary threat vector to the grid due to solar storms is voltage gradients in the soil as streams of charged particles reach the Earth's high resistance surface and try to equalize. When power transmission lines can run for thousands of km, and the ground gradients can become as large as 1 megavolt per meter, it's not hard to visualize problems.
Here's an article on the topic. But it is behind a paywall, and I no longer have access to the full text.
https://spectrum.ieee.org/shielding-grids-from-solar-storms
Also see from 2003
Extreme Solar Storm Strikes Earth
What are solar panels?
Solar panels are devices that convert sunlight into electricity. They are made up of photovoltaic cells, which are typically made of silicon and other materials that can absorb sunlight and release electrons, creating an electrical current.
How do solar panels work?
Solar panels work by using the photovoltaic effect, which is the process of converting sunlight into electricity. When sunlight hits the photovoltaic cells, it causes electrons to be released, creating a flow of electricity. This electricity can then be used to power homes, businesses, and other devices.
What is the Carrington Event?
The Carrington Event, also known as the Carrington Event of 1859, was a powerful solar storm that occurred on September 1-2, 1859. It was caused by a massive coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun, which sent a burst of charged particles towards Earth.
How did the Carrington Event affect solar panels?
The Carrington Event caused widespread damage to telegraph systems, which were the main form of communication at the time. However, since solar panels were not yet invented, they were not affected by the event. If a similar event were to occur today, it could potentially damage solar panels and other electronic devices.
What measures can be taken to protect solar panels from a Carrington Event?
There are several measures that can be taken to protect solar panels from a Carrington Event. These include installing surge protectors, using grounding systems, and implementing shielding techniques. Additionally, solar panel manufacturers are continuously improving their designs to make them more resistant to solar storms.
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