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Checking of solar panels

Featured Replies

I have 12 x JA 540w on 2 strings (east and west)

On a sunny winters day like today I seem to max out at 3000w, which seems too little. Is there a way to check if all my panels are working properly without climbing onto the roof to test each panel individually? maybe these images help.

I live in cape town

 

power.jpg

voltage.jpg

PV.jpg

curremt.jpg

Edited by Terminal3k

Use an online calculator to compare that to what is expected. To me it looks like you are getting better than expected this time of the year for your panel orientation (assuming a 25° slope).

  • Author
On 2022/07/16 at 4:46 PM, iiznh said:

Angle, orientation and even slight shading makes a huge dent in your production. Add those to your post

I have zero shading midday, shading comes onto my west string for a couple hours later in the day.

My west string is slightly to the south (yellow) - my east is slightly North (blue).  

I dont know the pitch of my roof, but I suppose its a standard pitch?

roof.jpg

45 minutes ago, Terminal3k said:

I have zero shading midday, shading comes onto my west string for a couple hours later in the day.

My west string is slightly to the south (yellow) - my east is slightly North (blue).  

I dont know the pitch of my roof, but I suppose its a standard pitch?

roof.jpg

Those panels in yellow will be low on production in winter. This is the reason why the output is so low. Quite an angle towards south looking at your north arrow.

  • Author
22 hours ago, P1000 said:

The South facing panels is far from optimal, The roof with what looks like a chimney would be a much better option.

Thanks for the input.  Is it worth me spending the few thousand rand to get my electrician to move them to the north roof? bearing in mind, in summer time I had more than enough production.  I only have 1 x 5.5kw battery.

37 minutes ago, Terminal3k said:

Thanks for the input.  Is it worth me spending the few thousand rand to get my electrician to move them to the north roof? bearing in mind, in summer time I had more than enough production.  I only have 1 x 5.5kw battery.

I definitely would, but it's hard for me to determine if it would be worth it to you.

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