EcoRenovator  

Go Back   EcoRenovator > Improvements > Solar Power
Advanced Search
 


Blog 60+ Home Energy Saving Tips Recent Posts Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-12-14, 11:44 AM   #1
bte52
Lurking Renovator
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Salisbury, MD 21804
Posts: 6
Thanks: 5
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Solar Panel Output

I purchased a 100W (2*50W) 12V folding mono solar panel with 15A solar charge controller from eco-worthy. They just arrived so I wanted to test them using a multimeter. I disconnected all the wires from the charge controller so that I could test each one independently. I tested in bright sunlight at high noon here on the East Coast. The stickers on each panel say the VOC is 22.41V and the ISC is 6.2 amp. One panel read 22.14V and the other 22.12V but noticed they started to drop a few volts rather quickly. My main concern is the fact that the ISC on both was lower than the rating (one was 3.12 amps and the other was 2.89. Do I have a problem here that I need to address with the mfg? Any help would be much appreciated.

bte52 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-14, 11:47 AM   #2
NiHaoMike
Supreme EcoRenovator
 
NiHaoMike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,154
Thanks: 14
Thanked 257 Times in 241 Posts
Default

The output is measured under ideal conditions and in practice, can be expected to be much lower.
__________________
To my surprise, shortly after Naomi Wu gave me a bit of fame for making good use of solar power, Allie Moore got really jealous of her...
NiHaoMike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-14, 02:18 PM   #3
OffGridKindaGuy
Hi-Tech Hillbilly
 
OffGridKindaGuy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 97
Thanks: 1
Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts
Send a message via AIM to OffGridKindaGuy
Default

Take your total wattage and divide by 17.. 100 divided by 17 = 5.88 amps. Your readings.. 3.12 + 2.89 = 6.01 amps. I'd say that you're doing OK..

I use 17 as a divisor for real world calculations because nothing is perfect and the sum is more realistic.. (Including burn-in)

New panels are always hotter than normal. (higher in output) After being used for a while, the output will drop a little and stabilize..
__________________
If it don't, I'll always think it shoulda..
OffGridKindaGuy is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to OffGridKindaGuy For This Useful Post:
bte52 (04-12-14)
Old 04-12-14, 02:57 PM   #4
bte52
Lurking Renovator
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Salisbury, MD 21804
Posts: 6
Thanks: 5
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

I appreciate your help very much. I am still a little confused though. If each 50W panel has an ISC of 6.2 amps and I tested them separately why do we add both panels together? Sorry for stupid newbie question.

bte52 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:26 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Ad Management by RedTyger
Inactive Reminders By Icora Web Design