I recently acquired a 110w solar panel, but I don't know how old it is since it came with another item I purchased. After cleaning it up and connecting it to an MPPT charger, I've noticed it only produces about 10w in full sunlight. I'm wondering if it's safe to conclude that this panel is damaged and if I should just replace it. For context, I'm using a suitable MPPT charger to charge a half-charged 220ah AGM battery, and I've confirmed the power output with a shunt and a multimeter. I don't think the cables are the issue since they are oversized for this setup, and there's nothing else connected except for the MPPT charger and battery.
2 Answers
First off, make sure the MPPT charger is compatible with your panel's voltage. If it’s in range, that’s good. Also, check if the MPPT can handle the energy you're trying to dump into that half-full battery.
Have you tried using a multimeter for measuring the output? It’s a solid way to see what’s actually coming out.
Yeah, I’ve measured it with a shunt and double-checked the amps with a multimeter, and the readings are consistent.
Yep, the MPPT charger works perfectly for the panel voltage, and I'm definitely sending power into that half-charged AGM battery.