1. The purpose of testing solar panels
First determine the actual output of solar panels, solar panels to generate electricity is not installed rated power, will be affected by the weather, angle, direction, etc. The actual power generation capacity needs to be known through the test, to facilitate easy to grasp the use of solar panels to increase or decrease the amount of electricity. Regularly check whether the solar energy system is damaged, timely maintenance to ensure that the loss of power generation!
2. How to test solar panels?
(1) Overall inspection
First determine whether the solar panel surface cracks, scratches discoloration and other issues, check whether the metal frame corrosion and bending, check the junction box cable is connected, devices and cables at the wear and tear of bare wires, the overall inspection can be a general check of the problem.
(2) Use a multimeter
Multimeter is the most commonly used tools to check electrical equipment, by checking the circuit to determine whether the solar panel is a problem, ① first disconnect the solar panel, including batteries, including all the load connections, leaving only two connectors connecting the solar panel MC4
② Adjust the multimeter to DC voltage level
③ Connect the red wire to the positive pole of the solar panel and the black wire to the negative pole of the solar panel.
④ Connect the solar panel to test the voltage (open-circuit voltage) against the rated voltage of the solar panel at a time of high light intensity.
⑤ Test the current of the solar panel will be commissioned for the universal meter DC current gear testing and voltage at the same time the current (short-circuit current). The tested current and voltage should be approximately the same as the rated voltage and current.
(3) Using IV curve tracer
IV curve tracker is a more specialized equipment to check the solar panels under various circumstances of the power generation situation
Connect the IV curve tracer to the solar panel.
② Installation of IRR2-BT irradiance meter
③Create the current and voltage of the solar panel under various conditions according to the IV curve tracer.
④Analice whether the requirements are met according to the rated current and voltage of the solar panel.
3. Calculate the solar panel output
Calculate the actual solar panel output needs to test the current and voltage, according to the power (Watt) = voltage (Volt) × current (Ampere), calculated the actual power of the solar panel, you need to know the average daily sunshine time to derive every day the solar panel power generation, due to the weather every day and can not be maintained consistently, the general use of the test of the 75% of the power generation as a day. For example, the voltage is 30V current is 5A, the peak sunshine time is 5 hours, a day’s power generation is about 30V × 5A × 5h × 0.75 = 562.5wh.
Conclusion
Testing the power generation of solar panels can ensure that the solar panels are highly loaded power generation, while avoiding the solar panels may have problems in a timely manner to solve the problem, you can choose to install third-party monitoring equipment to timely notify you of changes in the solar energy system, through the weather forecast system for you to predict the power generation situation in advance and provide you with advice on the service.
FAQ
If you can not test the solar panel in cloudy days, you can use artificial light source, it should be noted that the artificial light source can only test whether the solar panel can work properly can not know the specific power generation situation, can be applied to check the light source including fluorescent lamps, white weaving lamps, LED lamps, which is only a temporary check.
Of course, solar panels are generally equipped with battery packs, solar charge controller is to ensure that the solar energy for the normal charging of the battery part, can display the current and voltage charged into the battery, through the charge controller can roughly tell you whether the solar panels are operating normally. Some solar systems support remote connection to directly view the power generation of the solar system.
