If you'd like to check that your solar panels are working properly, here's a tutorial to help you.
This tutorial is applicable for:
Difficulté : Easy
Temps nécessaire : 10 minutes
Nombre d’étapes : 4
Mise à jour : February 2025
Materials needed:
Multimeter
Tutorial steps:
Step 1: Disconnecting the solar panels
To work safely, please disconnect the inverter from the 230V power supply, then disconnect your solar panels.
Disconnect the solar panels by pressing on the MC4 connectors and pulling on the connectors.
Step 2: Visual inspection
Make sure that solar panel is not dirty or damaged. A dirty solar panel can lose up to 15% of production.
The solar panels can be cleaned with lukewarm water and a soft cloth. Do not use detergents. Do not scratch the surface of panel to avoid scratching the surface glass.
Check that every weld line connecting the cells is perfectly straight.
In the event of a power cut or damage to solar panel, production will be affected to a greater or lesser extent.
Step 3: Checking no-load performance
Position your solar panel in full sunlight.
Use a multimeter to check the voltage of each solar panel.
Configure your multimeter to measure a 20Vdc voltage.
Connect the Volt terminal of your multimeter to the “+” connector of the solar panel.
Connect the Gnd terminal on your multimeter to the “-” connector on solar panel.
In full sunlight and with no load, each solar panel should supply 10.7Vdc.
Step 4: Checking solar panels under load
Reconnect each solar panel to the inverter, and then reconnect the inverter to your 230V outlet.
Wait about 3 minutes for your inverter to start up.
Then launch your AvidsenHome application
On the SORIA kit home page, click on “PV puissance”.
The “Photovoltaic voltage” value corresponds to the voltage supplied by your solar panels. With 4 compliant solar panels, you should have a value of 34V
The “Photovoltaic current” value corresponds to the current produced by your solar panels. This value will depend on the positioning of your solar panels and the sun’s light output.A good exposure should be around 10A.
Example of a solar panel that is poorly connected or faulty
Photovoltaic voltage is incorrect
Photovoltaic current is correct
Incorrect exposure or low light intensity
Photovoltaic voltage is correct
Photovoltaic current is incorrect
It’s normal to have these values in autumn and winter.