Testing Solar Panels For Damage

The converter box is located on the back of the solar panel.

Testing solar panels for damage.

Photovoltaic pv panels or solar panels face difficult expectations. In fact manufacturers actually test their solar panels to ensure that hail storms won t be an issue. E marine walks you through testing a solar panel s output to make sure it s performing correctly. Attach the meter to the positive and negative so that you measure the amp output of your solar panels.

Using a multimeter for solar panel tests step 1. Poor quality solar panels are particularly susceptible to damage. They must be exposed to the elements suitable for installation just about anywhere in the world and last approximately 25 years. However just like your car windscreen can sometimes get damaged by extreme hail the same can happen to your panels.

Some solar panels go through iec 60068 2 68 testing to determine how well they hold up in sandy environments like deserts. To ensure that you don t blow your device s fuse set the maximum amperage sensitivity to well above your expected reading. Solar panels are designed to withstand weather including hail and thunderstorms. Testing solar panels for amps to test solar panel amperage output put your solar panel in direct sunlight set your multi meter to the dc amps setting.

Locate the converter box. Frequent exposure to abrasive sand can wear a panel down leading to physical or mechanical defects over time. Note positive negative connections. Considering these panels are made of glass and sensitive electronics meeting these requirements is difficult.

This requires solar installers to test their panels and racking equipment to ensure that they will remain anchored to your roof in hurricane level winds. You need to have a panel tester that is known as an amp meter. For example in some areas of southern florida where hurricane season predictably brings extreme winds every year solar panels must be installed to withstand winds up to 170 miles per hour. Generally solar panels can endure hailstones up to one inch in size 25mm at a falling speed of 50 miles per hour.

When you are testing this ensure that your solar panel is getting full sunlight. This means that solar panels have outstanding durability when it comes to extreme weather patterns.