Thinking About or Already Have Solar?
- B.D. Erickson II
- May 13
- 4 min read
Solar energy has changed the way people think about power. For many homeowners, it represents freedom from rising utility costs, greater energy independence, and a step toward a cleaner future. And truthfully, we’re huge supporters of smarter energy systems and renewable technology. But as solar installations continue to grow across the country, there’s another conversation quietly emerging alongside it:
How does solar affect the electrical environment inside the home?
That question was the focus of a recent Smarter Tech Podcast episode featuring SATIC CEO B.D. Erickson II and EMF educator and bestselling author Nick Pineault, widely known as “The EMF Guy.” Nick has spent years helping people better understand modern EMF exposure and how everyday technology affects the environments we live in.
During the conversation, the two discussed something many homeowners — and even many solar installers — don’t fully realize:
Modern solar systems can significantly increase dirty electricity levels inside a home.
Not because solar energy is “bad,” but because of how today’s electrical technologies operate.
The Solar Panels Usually Aren’t the Main Issue
One of the biggest misconceptions is that the solar panels themselves are producing harmful energy. In reality, the biggest contributor is often the solar inverter.
Solar panels generate DC power, while homes operate on AC power. The inverter’s job is to convert that electricity into usable household current, and it does this through extremely rapid electronic switching.
That rapid switching creates electrical harmonics and high-frequency voltage transients that travel through a home’s wiring system. This is commonly referred to as dirty electricity or electrical noise.
Nick Pineault added an important perspective during the conversation, explaining that many people pursuing healthier homes unknowingly increase electrical complexity as they modernize their energy systems.
“People are trying to do the right thing. They’re trying to create healthier homes and cleaner energy systems.”
That’s what makes this conversation so important. The goal isn’t fear around solar technology. The goal is understanding how to build cleaner electrical environments alongside modern technology.
Why Solar + Smart Meters Can Change a Home’s Electrical Environment
In many cases, going solar also means adding a smart meter to the home for net metering purposes. That means homeowners are often introducing two major sources of electrical distortion at the same time: the inverter system and the smart meter.
During the episode, B.D. made a statement that resonated with a lot of listeners:
“When I go solar… I just added two of the four biggest culprits right on my house.”
For homeowners who monitor dirty electricity levels, this can sometimes explain why readings increase substantially after a solar installation.
Nick pointed out that many people are shocked to learn that technologies marketed as “clean energy” can still create electrical pollution inside the home.
And to be clear — this isn’t unique to solar. Modern homes are now filled with: smart appliances, LED lighting, EV chargers, variable-speed HVAC systems, battery backups, and switching power supplies. All of these technologies contribute to increasingly complex electrical environments.
Cleaner Energy Still Requires Cleaner Power
One of the biggest themes from the podcast was the difference between renewable energy and clean electrical power.
They are not always the same thing.
In industrial and commercial environments, electrical engineers spend enormous amounts of time correcting harmonics and stabilizing power quality because excessive electrical distortion can affect: equipment performance, system efficiency, heat generation, and long-term reliability.
Those same principles apply to homes — especially homes with solar systems and modern electronics.
Nick emphasized throughout the conversation that awareness is key:
“We can embrace technology while also being smarter about how we implement it.”
That philosophy aligns closely with how we approach power quality at SATIC.
Supporting Cleaner Electrical Environments in Solar Homes
For homeowners with solar systems, battery backups, smart meters, or larger modern electrical loads, one of the most commonly recommended upgrades is the GEN III SD Wire-In system.
The GEN III SD was specifically designed for larger electrical environments and modern nonlinear loads commonly found in today’s homes. Rather than simply plugging into a wall outlet, it integrates directly into the electrical system to support cleaner overall power quality throughout the home.
Many customers install the GEN III SD alongside:
Solar systems
Battery backup systems
Smart home technology
Home offices
EV charging setups
High-efficiency HVAC systems
The goal is simple: help reduce unnecessary electrical distortion and create a more stable electrical environment throughout the home.
Not All Solar Systems Perform the Same
Another important point discussed in the episode was inverter quality. Some inverter manufacturers produce significantly cleaner electrical output than others. Better engineering, lower harmonic distortion, improved filtering, and higher-quality components can all make a meaningful difference in overall power quality.
B.D. referenced certain higher-end inverter manufacturers during the conversation as examples of systems that often perform better from a power-quality standpoint.
But even premium systems still introduce some level of distortion simply because of how inverter technology functions.
That’s the reality of modern electronics.
The Future Is Smarter Technology
One thing both Nick and B.D. agreed on throughout the episode is that this conversation should never come from fear. Technology is not the enemy.
Solar energy is incredible technology. Battery storage is incredible technology. The future is clearly moving toward smarter, more electrified homes. But as those technologies become more integrated into our lives, understanding power quality becomes increasingly important.
As B.D. said during the interview:
“I love solar… I think it’s the wave of the future.”
And Nick echoed a similar sentiment:
“The solution isn’t disconnecting from modern life. It’s becoming more intentional about the environments we create.”
That’s ultimately what this conversation is about.
Not fear. Not avoiding technology. Just smarter implementation.
Learn More From Nick Pineault
Nick Pineault (“The EMF Guy”) is a bestselling author, speaker, and educator focused on helping people better understand EMFs and modern environmental stressors.
You can learn more about his work here: 👉 https://theemfguy.com
And you can watch the full Smarter Tech Podcast episode here:
Looking to Support a Cleaner Electrical Environment?
If your home includes solar, battery storage, smart technology, or large electrical loads, the GEN III SD Wire-In was designed specifically for modern electrical environments like these.
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