new 230 watt panel only putting out 120 watts?

Discussion in 'Solar Panels' started by JonGreen, Jul 21, 2012.

  1. just got a new 230 watt schuco solar panel and hooked it up to the GTI and its showing only 120 watts at noon laying flat on its back. What I'm wondering is are these panels over rated, or is this one damaged. New to the solar game going for the hybrid thing (wind n solar) also if its only producing half of what its rated then i just payed 2.60 a watt (ouch) making the old 750 look even better. Thanks for the help!
     
  2. Minnesota

    Minnesota WindyNation Engineer

    Measure the short circuit current (use an ammeter set at 10A between the + and - terminal in full sun). It should read about 7.5 amps. The open voltage is over 30V so you should be using a 22-60V GTI with it.
     
  3. TomT

    TomT WindyNation Engineer

    On really HOT days I only get half power out of mine. Most I have seen is 600 watts out of 820 watts of my solar . But I am at 45 deg incline on the panels for better winter production. Should be at 34 degrees here.
    Also being summer there are a lot of days where it is hazy too. 07222012Sky44030.jpg 07222012SolarWattage.jpg
    TheSunG 600 Solar GTI is on the left and the CTP1000w Hybrid on the right.
    I will say that at 350 watts the SunG all by itself puts out 40 watts more than the two together.
     
  4. thanks dudes so here's what i got open voltage was 22.68 full sun short circuit current is 7.85 full sun. I'm plugging this bugger into a 10.8-30 volt 300 watt sun g for wind it say's 92% peak efficiency so i expect some loss but not a 100 watts. Voltage is around 14 when its plugged in which makes the amps around 8.5. Here are the stats on the back of the panel thanks alot guys!!
    U mpp---28.8V
    I mpp----7.99A
    U oc-----37.4V
    I sc ------8.53A also it's about 85 degrees here:)
     
  5. Minnesota

    Minnesota WindyNation Engineer

    If you are measuring open volts at 22.68 and it should be 37.4 then there is a serious problem.
     
    TomT likes this.
  6. TomT

    TomT WindyNation Engineer

    Can you give us a picture of the back connections ?
    If it has a connector box can you show a picture of the inside so we can help you with the low voltage problem?
     
    Minnesota likes this.
  7. so i popped open the back box and 1 of the 4 silver flat connections was lose so i plugged it back in. Ah yah now were reading 36 open volts u dudes are awesome thanks alot this was freakin me out spend every little dollar i get on this stuff just want so bad for it to work thanks again!!
     

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