How to Test Solar Panels!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 พ.ค. 2024
- Let's cover how to test solar panels by testing 3 used solar panels with 3 different meters: a multimeter, clamp meter, and DC power meter.
METERS & TOOLS mentioned in this video (affiliate links)
Multimeter - amzn.to/3S1jJRl
Clamp meter - amzn.to/47nmfW9
DC power meter without MC4 connectors - amzn.to/48CKbG3
MC4 crimper kit - amzn.to/3H2q74m
DC power meter with MC4 connectors - amzn.to/3THiJTm
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LINKS
Accompanying blog post: footprinthero.com/how-to-test...
Calculate your home's solar savings: www.solarreviews.com/solar-es...
footprinthero.com/
/ footprinthero
/ footprint.hero
Sign up for my DIY solar newsletter: exceptional-knitter-7089.ck.p...
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CHAPTERS
0:00 Method 1 - Testing a Solar Panel with a Multimeter (Voltage & Current)
2:49 Method 2 - Checking a Solar Panel's Amps with a Clamp Meter
4:04 Method 3 - Checking a Solar Panel's Watts with a DC Power Meter
6:04 3 Reasons Why Your Solar Panel May Have Reduced Output
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I cover how to test a solar panel's output, amps (current), and watts (power) using a multimeter, clamp meter, and DC power meter (aka watt meter).
I also talk about some reasons why your solar panel may not be outputting as much power as expected.
Note: If you test your solar panel and it doesn't seem to be working properly, leave a comment so we can all help you try to figure out what's happening. Include your panel's details (e.g. Voc, Isc, Vmp, Imp, and Pmax) and the numbers you're seeing. Mention how you're testing your panel. If your panel is connected to your solar system, include the basic details of your system as well.
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DISCLAIMERS
Some of the links in this video description and in the comments below are affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one, at no extra cost to you I may earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
For general informational purposes only. Nothing in this video is intended to be professional solar or electrical advice. Please consult with a licensed professional in their field of expertise in your jurisdiction. - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
METERS & TOOLS mentioned in this video (affiliate links)
Multimeter - amzn.to/3S1jJRl
Clamp meter - amzn.to/47nmfW9
DC power meter *without* MC4 connectors - amzn.to/48CKbG3
MC4 crimper kit - amzn.to/3H2q74m
DC power meter *with* MC4 connectors - amzn.to/3THiJTm
Had no idea who solar panels worked this really helped me :)
Awesome!
Thank you, very well made and helpful
Thanks for sharing this video. It was helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for the nice demonstration.....
This video is so helpful!
Glad to hear that!
Thanks, i learnt something new
Excellent video, thanks
You are welcome!
Thanks for the video
I follow your video instructions and The isc rating was 11.89ah and when I tested it I got 19.5ah which is higher
Great video, very helpful.
Glad to hear it!
Great video! I love those little power meters. Just wish I could find an inexpensive one that could measures over 150V.
You and me both!
Can I connect the positive and negative solar panels ends together and use my DC clamp meter to read amperage?
I've thumbs up and subscribe, very good clear instructions for me to test my panels as they are not producing anything through winter months, the inverter is just draining the batteries slowly but surly ,so summer job to check if they are all good, if they are all well i not sure my next step as no power being made i may add small wind turbine get through winter months, thanks from Scotland
Thank you! Best of luck with the troubleshooting
You could have connected the MC4 connectors together on that second panel and measured with the clamp meter. That way you can measure the Isc and don't need all the other equipment.
Yes that's another way to measure Isc besides the multimeter method I cover. By 'other equipment' I assume you're referring to how I tested the current when the panel was connected to the system? For that was actually testing Imp rather than Isc.
@@footprinthero Yes, for testing Isc... nothing is quicker/easier than just connecting the MC4 connectors together and measuring with a clamp meter. Testing the Imp can be trickier as you need a load that can pull full power reliably. You did a good job of showing different methods.
I have a vitoman 220 watt solar, I had it in full sun at 22c and the input was 150 watts. Is that normal? Should it be higher? Does anyone know?
Great easy way to test your solar panel, mine is 170w 10 months old at the beginning it produced 7-8 amps, suddenly after few months it went down to 2-3 amps with load on and while charging the half drained battery. Open circuit voltage was 23v but when connected to controller it’s shows 16v. Wondering why the current is reduced?
Open circuit voltage will always be higher than the voltage when the panel is connected to your system, so that's normal to see a drop in voltage like that when connected. The drop in current is concerning. Did you test the panel's short circuit current (Isc) with a multimeter?
@@footprinthero I did short circuit the panel and got 6 amps on clamp multimeter reading and 22voc , connected back to the controller and got 2.4a at 16.2v, checked the cables resistance and seems fine.
Strange... perhaps your charge controller got damaged somehow. At this point I think it'd be worth trying out a different one and seeing if that solves the issue.
When you connected the wattmeter to the controller, was the controller connected to the battery?
yes
If someone were looking how to lower wattage of solar panels just cover part of its surface, 200w to 180w, 10% of the panel *But it will probably be lower anyway, depends on environment.
Hi my name Stephan i want to know how to test a solar panel
My Inverter machine got burnt, what is the cause for that?
My guess would be it got overloaded - i.e. you pulled more watts from it than it's rated for
How many it takes for whole house?
Quite a few! Depends largely on your monthly energy consumption and your roof's suitability. There are solar calculators out there that will estimate what size system you need based on your roof
Can a bad solar panel drain your battery
Hmm no never had that happen to me or heard of that happening. Charge controllers use a little bit of power, so they can drain your battery slowly over time if your solar panel isn't getting any sun for a long stretch. Like if your panels are covered in snow for days or weeks at a time then the charge controller could drain the battery a bit during that stretch.