To measure amperage or voltage of solar panel you need to set the function to dc amperage or dc voltage.
Amperage output of solar panel.
When a 12v solar panel is rated at 100w that is an instantaneous rating if all of the test conditions are met when you measure the output the voltage will be about 18 volts and the current will be 5 55 amps.
To begin measure solar panel amperage.
Solar panel power output.
Attach the meter to the positive and negative terminals on the solar panel and make sure the panel is properly exposed to sunlight.
Testing solar panels for volts.
Measure the battery voltage.
For example if the solar panel is rated at 175 watts and the maximum power voltage vmp is given as 23 6 volts then calculate the current as 175 watts divided by 23 6 volts which is equal to 7.
A solar panel s output is expressed in watts.
On average a domestic solar panel has a power output of around 265 watts although it can range anywhere from as little as 225 watts to more than 350 watts.
To test a 18v solar panel voltage output directly put your solar panel in direct sunlight set your multi meter to the dc volts setting.
How much energy does a solar panel produce.
The higher the wattage of a solar panel the more electricity it can produce under the same conditions.
Thus the output for each solar panel in your array would.
Hopefully it is less than the solar panel controller output voltage.
For the sake of example if you are getting 5 hours of direct sunlight per day in a sunny state like california you can calculate your solar panel output this way.
Whenever you have these two values you can figure out the wattage by multiplying them together.
After doing your solar panel testing you should find that the solar panel output for the pv panel you built on the make solar panels page is about 18 volts and 3 5 amps.
Connect the ve solar controller output lead to the ve battery terminal.
You will need a solar panel tester known as an amp meter.
Connect the ve solar controller output lead to one lead of your multimeter.
If it is proceed.
As long as the amp meter is rated higher than the solar panel you will be able to measure the output effectively.
The meter should be set up to read amps dc range 10a the leads.