Small Scale Offgrid Solar PV: Installation Manual
Avoid working on live cables, to reduce the possibility of a short circuit. For this and other
reasons, it‟s preferable to connect the DC lighting circuit to the Regulator when the other parts
of the installation are completed.
A. Solar Panel
1. Test Voc with a multi-meter/ electrical tester
Expose the panel to sunlight. Make sure that Tester‟s the dial and the electrical leads are in the
right position for measuring DC voltage.
DC Voltage
(AC voltage)
Lead positions to measure voltage
Make contact between the Solar Panel‟s cables and the Tester‟s conductors. Note down the
voltage. It should be within a range of variation from the VOC printed on the back of the panel
(the variation depends on the solar irradiation at that moment.)
2. Choose a spot for the panel
It‟s essential that the Panel is facing as close as possible to 0ᵒ south (in the Northern
hemisphere; South of the Equator the Panel should face North.) Use a good quality compass to
determine which side of the roof faces south.
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