ree&pqj2

 
Empirical Characterization of Non-Intentional Emissions generated by PV Installations

G. Txertudi, U. Txertudi, M. Fernández, A. Gallarreta, J. González-Ramos and D. de la Vega

Bilbao Engineering College, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain

ftf

2026-01-20


im4

Abstract

Non-Intentional Emissions (NIEs) generated bysolar photovoltaic (PV) systems have significantly increased concerns about disturbances in the 9-150 kHz band of the low-voltage distribution grid, which can lead to failures or cause thermal stress in the devices connected to the grid. Moreover, these emissions can cause interference in narrowband power line communications (NB-PLCs). This paper presents a characterization of emissions generated by different real PV systems. Specifically, measurement campaigns were carried out in isolated PV systems, which employed different panel configurations, as well as in a grid-connected system. The analysis of the NIEs allows the identification of the frequencies and amplitudes of the emissions, as well as the evaluation of the NIEs variation over time. In addition, the impedances of the PV systems were also measured to correlate impedance variations with emissions.

Key words: Power line communications, photovoltaic installations, non-intentional emissions, impedance measurements.

Published in: Renewable Energies, Environment & Power Quality Journal (REE&PQJ)
ISSUE: Vol. 24. No. 4 Pages: 391-396
E-ISSN: 3020-531 X Date of Current Version: 2026-01-02
REF: 166 Issue Date: 2026-01-26
DOI:10.24084/reepqj24-166 Publisher: AEDERMACP/ EA4EPQ

References

[1] Fernandez, I.; Uribe-Pérez, N.; Eizmendi, I.; Angulo, I.; de la Vega, D.; Arrinda, A.; Arzuaga, T. Characterization of Non-Intentional Emissions from Distributed Energy Resources Up to 500 kHz: A Case Study in Spain. International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems, 105, 549–563, 2019.

[2] A. Abart, G.F. Bartak, EMI of emissions in the frequency range 2kHz - 150 kHz, in: 22nd International Conference and Exhibition on Electricity Distribution (CIRED 2013), Stockholm, 2013.

[3] CENELEC. CLC/TR 50627. Study report on electromagnetic interference between electrical equipment/systems in the frequency range below 150 kHz. In CENELEC SC 205A Mains Communicating Systems; CENELEC: Brussels, Belgium, 2015.

[4] Meyer, J.; Haehle, S.; Schegner, P. Impact of higher frequency emission above 2 kHz on electronic mass-market equipment. In Proceedings of ydthe 22nd International Conference and Exhibition on Electricity Distribution (CIRED 2013), Stockholm, Sweden, 10–13 June 2013

[5] V. Khokhlov, J. Meyer, P. Schegner, D. Agudelo-martinez, A. Pavas, Immunity assessment of household appliances in the frequency range from 2 to 150 kHz, in: 25th International Conference on Electricity Distribution (CIRED), Madrid, 2019.

[6] Uribe-Pérez, N.; Angulo, I.; Hernández, L.; Arzuaga, T.; de la Vega, D.; Arrinda, A. Study of Unwanted Emissions in the CENELEC-A Band Generated by Distributed Energy Resources and Their Influence over Narrow Band Power Line Communications. Energies 2016, 9, 1007.

[7] European Comission.Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive. 2014. Available online: http:
//ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/electrical-engineering/emc-directive_en (accessed on February 2024).

[8] Darmawardana, D. et al, “Investigation of high frequency emissions (supraharmonics) from small, grid-tied, photovoltaic inverters of different topologies," IEEE International Conference on Harmonics and Quality of Power, pp. 1-6, 2018.

[9] Klatt, M., Meyer, J., Schegner, P., & Lakenbrink, C., “Characterization of supraharmonic emission caused by small photovoltaic inverters,” Mediterranean Conference on Power Generation, Transmission, Distribution and Energy Conversion, 2016.

[10] Rönnberg, S., Bollen, M., & Larsson, A. “Emission from small scale PV-installations on the low voltage grid,” In the Renewable Energies and Power Quality Journal (RE&PQJ), no. 12, 2014.

[11] Igor Fernández, Mikel Alberro, Jon Montalbán, Amaia Arrinda, Itziar Angulo, David de la Vega, “A new voltage probe with improved performance at the 10 kHz–500 kHz frequency range for field measurements in LV networks,” Measurement, 145 pp. 519-524, 2019

[12] CENELEC. EN 55016-1-2., “Specification for radio disturbance and immunity measuring apparatus and methods – Part 1-1: Radio disturbance and immunity measuring apparatus - Measuring apparatus”, 2019.

[13] UNE-EN 61000-4-7 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) -- Part 4-7: Testing and measurement techniques - General guide on harmonics and interharmonics measurements and instrumentation, for power supply systems and equipment connected thereto, February, 2010.

[14] Fernandez, I.; Arrinda, A.; Angulo, I.; de la Vega, D.; Uribe, N.; Llano, A. Field trials for the Empirical Characterization of the Low Voltage Grid Access Impedance from 35 kHz to 500 kHz. IEEE Access, 7, 85786–85795, 2019.


 
logos0
 
br

| Main | Articles | Publication-Regulations | Committees | Publication-Ethics | Open-Access | Fees | Background |

REE&PQJ is edited by:

European Association for the Development of Renewable Energies, Environment and Power Quality (EA4EPQ/AEDERMACP)

ICREPQ

Copyright © 2025 EA4EPQ All rights are reserved