Solar Array Testing

Owned by Yanshen Zhou
Last updated: Jan 21, 2024 by Forest Zhou
2 min read

October 1, 2023

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10GxkmC2_pRBlaSkuodyuwJfv6EmfgCdq5ilaQ_U7_Z8/edit?usp=sharing

Individual Panel Testing

Each MPPT was individually connected to their respective panels according to the table below.

image-20240121-201614.png

The output voltage was adjusted to the target voltage, and connected to a 8p battery to confirm operation. The MPPT was considered working if the output voltage is higher than the input, and the output power was > 20% of the rated panel power (it was quite cloudy).

10 MPPTs worked, while 3 had shorted ICs

Array Testing

Two strings of 5 MPPTs were connected in series in accordance with the previous table, which were paralleled with 2 Si diodes into a 36p pack.

In moderate sunlight at about 4:30pm, the output of the whole array was 130V, 2.264A.

Given the suboptimal conditions, the power level seems to be about what is expected. The Nomura MPPTs are confirmed to be working normally.