As I have been patiently waiting for tenKsolar to get their UL listing so we can install our solar panels on our roof (the deadline is September 30th, 2010, or the Minnesota rebate expires), we have run into a bit of a blip. Yesterday I received an email from the CEO of tenKsolar, and the good news for them is that their system is now officially UL listed, so we know it is safe. The bad news is for us and for all homeowners that might want their system sooner rather than later. According to tenKsolar:
“Because tenKsolar’s Wave product includes electronics, it is classified by the FCC as a radio frequency emitter and must limit the RF emission. There are two RF classifications, one for commercial/industrial/farm (Part 15, Class A) — we meet that one; but we do NOT meet the limit for residential (Part 15, Class B, consumer/residential). Thus, the product is not approved by the FCC for use in residential settings. This means that in a residential setting, there is the remote possibility the system would cause some interference in devices like a baby monitor, ham radio, etc. It does not seem like a big deal, however, the FCC rules are very explicit : if we sell a product that does not meet the residential limits into a residential setting, then we are responsible for fixing any interference for as long as that device exists. Meaning if you or your neighbors had an interference problem ten years down the road, we’d have to remedy it. We do not have the equipment to measure this – we were a bit surprised but the results are clear – for now, we can only sell into commercial/industrial settings.”
So, we are back to square one. The most competitive system to tenKsolar are those that come with micro-inverters. We’ll have to take a look at those, and hopefully be able to continue down this path of free energy from the sun. Stay tuned….