It’s worth noting that even though a building might have solar, the systems usually disable themselves in the event of a blackout to prevent back feeding into the grid.
Comment on The U.S. Just Ran a Solar Storm Emergency Drill. The Real Deal Would Be a Catastrophe
shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip 10 months ago
I’m glad this threat is at least starting to be taken seriously. As an amateur radio operator, I got incredibly interested in how the weather on the sun affects radio propagation and power management here on Earth.
Better a CME than an EMP just simply because there is at least some time to prepare for a massive CME. Whereas an EMP has absolutely no warning whatsoever.
In the event of a massive CME off-grid homes and buildings are likely to fare much better because they are not connected to the power grid. The problem comes with long transmission lines where incredibly large charge differentials can build up over distance. shorter wires can’t build up nearly the same amount of charge differential
bobs_monkey@lemm.ee 10 months ago
roofuskit@lemmy.world 10 months ago
That wouldn’t be an off grid building then.
shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip 10 months ago
That’s known as a grid tie system and my edit mentions that. The only way it’s going to help is if the grid is physically disconnected from the building as in the wire is not connected to the building at any point.
curbstickle@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 months ago
Unless I’m missing something here, thats what an LVD should do, and anyone grid-connected with solar should have.
shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip 10 months ago
During a normal power outage, you’re right. That does keep you isolated on your own island. But in a case like this, the voltage is likely to spike to incredibly high levels on wires that aren’t meant to carry it and cause arcing and possibly fires. That’s why you want to be physically disconnected.
kalkulat@lemmy.world 10 months ago