Portable Power Module for Güralp Certimus
Monitoring
5.2
Monitoring the solar panel
During installation, it may be convenient to monitor the charging performance
directly. This can be done using a solar panel analyser - sometimes called a
Watt/Volt meter - connected in-line between the panel and the PPM. Such panel
analysers are not supplied with the PPM but are commercially available from many
sources.
Such meters typically display the following parameters:
•
Solar panel output voltage, measured in volts.
•
Instantaneous charging current, measured in amps.
•
Instantaneous solar power - the amount of power which the panel is
currently providing, measured in watts.
The meter shown below also displays the instantaneous power integrated over time,
measured in watt-hours (Wh), where one watt-hour equals 3,600 Joules. This
represents the total energy harvested from the panel.
If the chosen analyser is not fitted with MC4 connectors. it can still be used by
constructing or purchasing appropriate adaptors. Alternatively, the analyser itself
can be modified by fitting MC4 connectors in place of the existing connectors.
18
Issue A - May 2021
