Testing 100w panels

I just got these 100w solar panels made by eco-baeerss. Voltage measure looks good at 21.6 but when I measure amps I barely get .71 amps in full sunlight. This was measuring the positive lead by itself stretch out. My 6 count meter reads 00.27 amps. Am I reading it wrong? Is my panel bad?

fredoliver57 said:

I just got these 100w solar panels made by eco-baeerss. Voltage measure looks good at 21.6 but when I measure amps I barely get .71 amps in full sunlight. This was measuring the positive lead by itself stretch out. My 6 count meter reads 00.27 amps. Am I reading it wrong? Is my panel bad?

Click to expand...

^ What can you possibly mean by this?

You test by shorting the leads with the meter and measuring the short circuit current. Best to have the meter set for a mode that can tolerate 10A.

You can also join the MC4 connector and use a clamp DC ammeter.

sunshine_eggo said:

^ What can you possibly mean by this?

You test by shorting the leads with the meter and measuring the short circuit current. Best to have the meter set for a mode that can tolerate 10A.

You can also join the MC4 connector and use a clamp DC ammeter.

Click to expand...

Thanks. Maybe I was testing the wrong way, I'll try joining the connectors and using the clamp on the meter tomorrow. I'll update the post.

My eco-baeerss panels tested ok at 69-70 watts per panel during 95% temperature outside. Thank you.

I would be wary of Eco-baeerss panel ratings. I have seen quite a few advertised where the size of the panel would preclude the amount of watts claimed for it. It is a simple thing to check since STC is 1000w per meter squared area. If claimed efficiency is 20% a square meter panel will be 200w.

If the exterior dimensions are in inches it is not difficult to convert to meters. No shortage of online converters that you can plug the numbers into.

Is it generally more advantageous to choose a rigid solar panel or opt for a foldable panel? I'm uncertain about which option to go for...

fredoliver57 said:

My eco-baeerss panels tested ok at 69-70 watts per panel during 95% temperature outside. Thank you.

Click to expand...

Like Mattb4 already suggested, beware of Eco-baeerss panels. Im happy that your 100watt panel from there seems to check out but a quick search on Amaz brings up Eco-baeers panels that cannot possibly be anywhere close to their "claimed" output in relation to their size. And even the information that is provided about the panels listed way low down in the product info indicates a much(much!) lower power panel than claimed in main listing for the panels. For example, Eco-baeerss lists a 400watt panel that, by size and actual output would actually be a 50watt panel. This stuff is obvious to regular solar folk but not so much for new solar folk trying to save money.