How To Test Efficiency Of Solar Panel

Solar panel efficiency is calculated with a set of standard test conditions stc which are used by the entire solar industry.

How to test efficiency of solar panel.

Locate the converter box. Use the formula to calculate the efficiency of photovoltaic cell. Factors that affect solar panel efficiency. The average efficiency of solar panels falls between the 17 to 19 percent efficiency range.

Solar panel efficiency can be simply described as the ratio of the module s power absorption to the input irradiance on standard test conditions. They are tested in laboratory conditions with a light source that provides 1 000 watts per square meter and a solar panel surface temperature of 25 c. Then touch the multi meter s black negative lead to your solar panel s negative wire. 700 watts m2 on a sunny winter day.

Depending on the time of year one of the values above is the power input from the sun that is converted into electrical energy by the photovoltaic cell. Once you have located the. Most solar panels have efficiency ratings of around 15 to 18 percent. To test solar panel amperage output put your solar panel in direct sunlight set your multi meter to the dc amps setting.

As long as the amp meter is rated higher than the solar panel you will be able to measure the output effectively. Attach the meter to the positive and negative terminals on the solar panel and make sure the panel is properly exposed to sunlight. Using a multimeter for solar panel tests step 1. Solar panels have been consistently increasing in efficiency at about 5 annually since 2010.

The power absorption of the module is the maximum solar module wattage divided by its surface area. To ensure that you don t blow your device s fuse set the maximum amperage sensitivity to well above your expected reading. Note positive negative connections. Step 3 measure current.

To test solar panel amperage output put your solar panel in direct sunlight set your multi meter to the amps setting and. To calculate the efficiency of your panel just multiply the amount of sunlight that hits the earth s surface in your area known as the incident radiation flux by the area of your panel measured in square meters.