The electrosmog from a photovoltaic system cannot make you sick. The electrosmog produced by a photovoltaic system is no greater than that produced by normal household appliances. In addition, electric fields hardly penetrate the house, as the building shell already reduces the field strength by up to 90%. The fields also lose a lot of their radiation strength at a distance of just one meter.
Electrosmog expert Dr. Klaus Trost from the Bonn Science Shop says:
"I am not aware of any specific findings or studies on health risks caused by electrosmog from photovoltaic systems. Electric fields only occur at night if the inverter does not galvanically isolate the modules from the power grid. However, as already mentioned, electric fields are well shielded by the roof structure and do not penetrate into the house."
Photovoltaic radiation: How does electrosmog arise from a PV system?
Solar cells and the extensive cabling generate direct current when exposed to sunlight. The inverter converts the direct current into usable alternating current. This conversion produces electric and magnetic alternating fields and harmonics, the so-called electrosmog.
The strength of the fields and radiation depends on the performance of the PV system, the inverter and the wiring of the modules.
Electric and magnetic fields are generated in a single solar module after just a few centimeters no longer detectable. When connecting several solar panels the voltage and thus the direct current field between the cables connecting the solar generator to the inverter is at its highest.
Photovoltaics: Health Disadvantages and Effects
Photovoltaics has no health disadvantages or effects. The electric and magnetic fields generated by the solar modules and the wiring are static. Allegations of negative health effects or disadvantages such as sleep disorders, fatigue, depression, immune deficiency or increased cell division rate have not been proven.
But the inverter and the AC cables also generate alternating magnetic fields. These are not blocked by the building envelope, so you should not have an inverter installed in living spaces. However, these alternating fields only occur near their source and decrease significantly even at a distance of one meter and are therefore harmless.
Electrical household appliances and the domestic power supply also generate these alternating fields, sometimes even at stronger field values. The Federal Office for Radiation Protection has set limit values. If these are adhered to, "protection against proven health effects is guaranteed."
The following table provides an overview of the magnetic fields (flux density)
| Device | 3 cm distance | 30 cm distance | 100 cm distance |
| hairdryer | 6-2000 | 0,01-7 | 0,01-0,3 |
| Vacuum cleaner | 200-800 | 2-20 | 0,13-2 |
| microwave | 73-200 | 4-8 | 0,25-0,6 |
| computer | 0,5-30 | less than 0.01 | - |
| PV system | 9-3000 | 0,06-0,6 | 0,006-0,06 |
(Source: Federal Office for Radiation Protection)
A flux density of less than 100 ensures that the limit of 20 millivolts per meter in the body is not exceeded - even with long-term exposure, there are no health effects.
Is photovoltaics carcinogenic?
photovoltaics is not carcinogenic and there are no studies that prove the opposite. The radiation levels from a PV system are far too low to have any health effects. Even if you are constantly right next to the photovoltaic system, the radiation is not carcinogenic.
Is sleeping under a photovoltaic system dangerous?
Sleeping under a photovoltaic system is safeEven if you sleep directly under the modules, there is no danger. The photovoltaic modules are inactive at night and thus generate no electromagnetic radiationElectromagnetic radiation is only generated when exposed to sunlight, but after just 50 cm it is significantly smaller than a natural magnetic field.
How can electrosmog be avoided?
Electrosmog can be avoided if you plan the system well. The Association for Building Biology recommends:
- Install the inverter at a minimum distance of 2 meters from all components of the PV system and living rooms, preferably in the basement.
- Use an inverter with a transformer, as this prevents grid interference with the modules.
- The cables to the modules should be earthed, this significantly reduces the harmonics.
- A short cable routing and cables that are close to each other ensure that the fields partially cancel each other out.
Conclusion: Can photovoltaics make you sick?
Photovoltaics cannot make you sick. The electric and magnetic fields are in the range of 9-3000 kHz and are therefore no different from electronic household appliances. The field strength also decreases sharply after just a few centimeters and is therefore harmless to health.
