Incorrectly testing solar panels can sometimes lead to inaccurate results when trying to diagnose a fault. Below are the correct ways to test an unregulated solar panel. (Redarc’s BCDC, LFP and BMS ranges need to see a 12V nominal unregulated solar input; The below test procedures and results are based on this).
2 x 12V 21W globes in series or 1 x 24V 55W incandescent globe with wiresattached
Things also needed:
The specifications of the solar panel being testing: the Open Circuit Voltage (VOC) and Short Circuit Current(ISC). Most of the time these are detailed on the back of the solar panels.
SUNLIGHT!!!!! Testing solar panels either at night time or in poor sunlight conditions will give false and misleading results. For the best and most accurate performance indication, full, bright sunlight is required directly onto the panel.
Ensure the solar panel is disconnected from a regulator and battery.
Testing Open Circuit Voltage (VOC)
Have the panel disconnected from the regulator and the multimeter set to measure DC Voltage (this isusually shown as “V - - -” on the multimeter).
Connect the positive lead of the multimeter to the positive wire (or terminal) of the solar panel, and the negative lead of the multimeter to the negative wire (or terminal) of the solar panel. The multimeter will now show the Open Circuit Voltage of the solar panel.
12V nominal panel: 18 to 28V.
24V nominal panel: 34 to 56V.
Testing Short Circuit Current (ISC)
Have the panel disconnected from the regulator and the multimeter set to measure current (A) - ensure that a
minimum setting of 10A is selected (Note: for panels with an ISC greater than 10A, a multimeter with suitable current rating should be sourced).
Directly connect the positive lead of your multimeter to the positive wire (or terminal) of the solar panel, and the negative lead of the multimeter to the negative wire (or terminal) of the solar panel. This will show the Short Circuit Current of the solar panel.
There may be some instances where the above tests will give results within the specifications, however applying load to a panel can expose hidden faults.
LOAD TESTING THE PANEL:
In this case a simple visual test can be done using 2 x 12V 21W globes in series or 1 x 24V 55W incandescent globe (as described above).
Connect the globes’ wires to the positive and negative wires of the panel (polarity is not crucial to observe, but do be cautious). The globe should illuminate brightly if the panel is working correctly and full sun is available. Failure to illuminate may indicate a faulty panel or connection.
Majaribio yasiyofaa ya paneli za jua nyakati nyingine yanaweza kusababisha matokeo yasiyo sahihi wakati wa kujaribu kugundua kosa. Chini ni njia sahihi ya mtihani unregulated solar panel. Redarck's BDC, LFP na BMS mbalimbali zinahitaji kuona 12V nominal unregulated jua pembejeo; chini ya mtihani taratibu na matokeo ni msingi wa hii. 2 x 12V 21W globes mfululizo au 1 x 24V 55W incandescent globe na waya attached. vitu pia zinahitajika: vipimo vya solar panel kuwa kupima: Open Circuit Voltage (VOC) na Short Circuit Current (ISC). Mara nyingi hizi zinaelezwa kwa undani nyuma ya paneli za jua. Nuru ya jua!!!!! Kupima paneli za jua usiku au katika hali mbaya ya mwangaza wa jua kutatoa matokeo bandia na ya kupotosha. Kwa ajili ya bora na sahihi zaidi ya utendaji kiashiria, kamili, mwanga wa jua inahitajika moja kwa moja juu ya jopo. Hakikisha jopo la jua ni disconnected kutoka mdhibiti na betri. VOLTAGE ya Mzunguko wa Wazi (VOC) - Punguza uunganisho wa jopo kutoka kwa mtawala na multimeter ili kupima voltage ya DC (hiyo kwa kawaida huonyeshwa kama <unk>V <unk> - <unk> kwenye multimeter). Kuunganisha kuongoza chanya ya multimeter kwa waya chanya (au terminal) ya jopo la jua, na kuongoza hasi ya multimeter kwa waya hasi (au terminal) ya jopo la jua. Multimeter sasa itaonyesha Open Circuit Voltage ya jopo la jua. 12V: 18V hadi 28V 24V: 34V kwa 56V Mzunguko mfupi wa umeme (ISC) - Punguza uunganisho wa jopo kutoka kwa mtawala na multimeter ili kupima mkondo (A) - hakikisha kwamba kiwango cha chini cha 10A kimechaguliwa (Kumbuka: kwa paneli zenye kiwango cha mkondo cha juu kuliko 10A, multimeter yenye kiwango cha sasa cha kutosha inapaswa kupatikana). Kuunganisha moja kwa moja kuongoza chanya ya multimeter yako kwa waya chanya (au terminal) ya jopo la jua, na kuongoza hasi ya multimeter kwa waya hasi (au terminal) ya jopo la jua. Hii itaonyesha Short Circuit sasa ya jopo la jua. Kunaweza kuwa na baadhi ya matukio ambapo vipimo hapo juu itatoa matokeo ndani ya vipimo, hata hivyo kutumia mzigo kwa jopo inaweza kufunua makosa siri. Kwa mfano, mtihani wa kufuta wa paneli ya umeme unaweza kufanywa kwa kutumia globe ya 12V 21W ya 1V, na mtihani wa kufuta wa 24V 55W ya 1V unaweza kufanywa kwa kutumia globe ya incandescent ya 12V. Kuunganisha globes <unk> waya kwa waya chanya na hasi ya jopo (polarity si muhimu kuchunguza, lakini kuwa makini). Dunia inapaswa kuangaza kwa mwangaza ikiwa jopo linafanya kazi kwa usahihi na jua kamili linapatikana. Kushindwa kuangaza inaweza kuonyesha jopo kosa au uhusiano.