The fact is that solar panels are passive energy gatherers and we can t tell much just looking at or touching them.
How to test solar panel output.
How to test a 12 volt solar panel vs other voltages.
When you buy solar panels you need to check quite a few things to make sure you are getting the right kind including checking the solar panel output buying and installing solar panels requires some research to determine how many you need to get enough output to satisfy your electric needs.
After doing your solar panel testing you should find that the solar panel output for the pv panel you built on the make solar panels page is about 18 volts and 3 5 amps.
As most solar panels are 12 volts the solar panel test methods are basically the same.
Testing the 12 volt solar panel.
If you plot voltage vs current you ll see that as the load current is increased the output voltage on the panel drops.
You need to have a panel tester that is known as an amp meter.
Whenever you have these two values you can figure out the wattage by multiplying them together.
Measure solar panel amperage.
The best way to check for signs of life is to measure a solar panel s voltage.
When you are testing this ensure that your solar panel is getting full sunlight.
The solar panel shown in the connection diagram was idealised and in the real world should include an equivalent series resistance.
This equivalent reistance is also not a fixed value but varies with load current.