Where and how should I attach the PV Analyzer wireless temperature sensor?
Attach the temperature sensor and at least 1 inch of its lead to the backside of a PV module near the center, so it is away from the cooler edges of the module. Use tape to ensure intimate contact with the backside of the module. If the temperature sensor is of the self-stick type, be […]
I don’t see any light blinking when I press the button on the PV Analyzer. How do I know if it is working?
If the PV Analyzer measurement unit is off or is paused, the power button LED will not be lit. If the power button is pressed, the LED will blink for a few seconds while the measurement unit establishes the wireless communication link with the PC. Once connected, the LED will stay lit, and the […]
Does the PV Analyzer software produce a report that I can give to a customer?
Currently, the PV Analyzer software does not have a report feature. However, Solmetric does offer an I-V Data Analysis Tool that imports saved traces and creates tables and plots that can be imported using copy-and-paste into another document to form a report. The I-V Data Analysis Tool is available for purchase on the Solmetric website.
Can I print out the PV Analyzer I-V curves?
Solmetric offers an I-V Data Analysis Tool to import measurement results, create histograms of key parameters, identify outlier results, and create overlay plots of I-V curves, all of which can be printed out or copied into another program. It is available for purchase on the Solmetric website. I-V curves cannot be printed directly from the […]
What type of file format is the PV Analyzer measurement data in? Can I import or open the measurement data in another program?
After making a measurement, data can be stored from the ?Traces? tab by pressing the ?Save Trace? button. Data is stored in the form of a csv file, which can be opened and edited using a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel.
How do I store and retrieve the PV Analyzer measurement data?
Solmetric offers an I-V Data Analysis Tool to import measurement results, create histograms of key parameters, identify outlier results, and create overlay plots of I-V curves. It is available for purchase on the Solmetric website. Also, after making a measurement, data can be stored from the ?Traces? tab by pressing the ?Save Trace? button. […]
Is the portable computer shown in the PV Analyzer pictures included in the price of the unit? If not, how much does it cost? Where do I get one?
The portable tablet computer shown in some PVA pictures is the Samsung Q1 Ultra Tablet PC. It is not included in the price of the PV Analyzer, and Solmetric does not sell it. It can be purchased from many places online, usually for around US$700. Note that the PV Analyzer will work with any […]
What is the recommended Calibration Cycle for the PVA-600?
The PVA-600 calibration is done at the factory to reference the current and voltage measurements. The PVA-600 should be re-calibrated every two years (24 months).
Where can I go for additional information about PV Analyzer I-V curves and how to interpret them?
The PV Analyzer User?s Guide, which is available in the help menu of the PV Analyzer software and also on the Solmetric website, features as section called ?Interpreting I-V Curves.? This section provides an overview of normal I-V curves and also discusses factors that cause deviations between measured and predicted I-V curves.
Can I view multiple PV Analyzer measurements simultaneously to make comparisons?
Solmetric also offers an I-V Data Analysis Tool to import measurement results, create histograms of key parameters, identify outlier results, and create overlay plots of I-V curves. It is available for purchase on the Solmetric website. In the current version of PV Analyzer software, tables of multiple measurements can be viewed simultaneously, but multiple IV […]