Solar Expedition 450W Solar Array
July 2021
|
Solar Stik
®
Inc.
18
|
Procedure to Measure V
oc
of a Single Expedition Panel
The voltage measurement
across the terminals of the
two Expedition panel leads
is the V
oc
of the panel. The
reading should be ~15 V
under ideal conditions.
Measuring Maximum Power and Open Circuit Voltages
Introduction
Voltage “open circuit” (V
oc
)
is unregulated panel voltage and measured directly from the leads of a
panel or an array when not connected to a “load” such as a charge controller. Voltage “maximum
power” (V
mp
) is the voltage at which the maximum power of a panel or array is produced when
connected to a charge control, or when the panel is considered “under load”.
The V
oc
of a single panel is approximately 15.72 V under standard test conditions (STC). Four (4)
panels are connected in series in the Expedition; therefore, the V
oc
for the four (4) panels could
theoretically be as high as 62.88 V. Once the panels are connected to the HyPR (i.e., the panels are
connected to a “load”), it is more likely that the operator will see voltages around 50 V
mp
reported on
the user interface.
The V
oc
and V
mp
should be measured for each Expedition or panel under “ideal solar conditions” if
possible. This means that the panels should be oriented directly at the sun and unshaded on a clear
day in order to identify the maximum V
mp
and V
oc
.
30’ Solar Leash
Procedure to Measure V
oc
of a Expedition
In the Expedition, four
(4) Expedition panels are
connected in series. The
rated V
oc
for the array
in this configuration
is 62.88; however, the
voltage may vary.
A(-)
C(+)
B
*
*
To measure V
oc
from a single Expedition, carefully place the leads of the voltmeter on pins A and C
in the bayonet connector at the end of the Solar Leash. Pin B is unused. Under ideal conditions, the
reading should be 50 V or more.
*
* Positive and
negative output leads
(respectively)
