Verification of solar-panel installations
Calculation of solar-panel efficiency
Electrical power survey
Calculation of inverter efficiency
FTV100 GREENTEST Model FTV100 +3V DC 220
The FTV100 can be used to measure and display all the physical and electrical parameters of solar power installations simultaneously while also storing them
This highly-effective instrument can perform all the measurements needed to calculate the efficiency of the solar power installation:
- Electrical power survey
- Calculation of solar panel efficiency
- Calculation of inverter efficiency
The GREENTEST FTV100 has a large extra-bright 5.7" color LCD screen with anti-reflective treatment making it particular easy to read in all circumstances. It is just as easy to set up as it is to use. Users install their physical measurement probes: a Pt100 probe for ambient temperature measurement, a Pt100 probe for the panel temperature, and a pyranometer for the insolation. They then connect the voltage leads and current clamps and configure the FTV100 with the panel manufacturer's parameters to serve as a reference. To transmit the measurement results remotely, the FTV100 has a remote module operating via a wired link (15 m) or via Bluetooth (100 m). In addition, the GREENTEST Report software can be used to acquire all the measurements in real-time. At a glance, the display of the curves enables users to make an initial assessment of whether the installation is operating correctly or not. The software includes graphic analysis of the measurements and reports printing.
Specially designed for solar power installations!
With the spread of solar power installations, professionals in the sector, installers, maintenance technicians and auditing organizations need a simple and effective test and measurement instrument, as the users sell on the electricity produced.
The payback time for the installation will vary according to the actual efficiency of the solar power installation. In an installation, each row of solar panels is designed to achieve a specific level of efficiency which is indicated on the datasheet concerning the panel.
When this reference value is reached, it means the installation is operating correctly. If not, it means there is a malfunction on the panel or on one of its components.
Major advantage: the FTV-100 can be used to perform these measurements simultaneously on 1, 2 or 3 rows of panels set up in parallel.
The solution: the GREENTEST- FTV 100
This instrument can simultaneously measure and display all the physical and electrical parameters of solar power installations. It also stores them at the same time.
Simple to use & set up
The GREENTEST is particularly simple to set up. For obvious safety reasons, you must first disconnect the panel (fuses, lightning arrester, etc.). You can then check the specifications of the panel’s inverter, as indicated on the panel.
You install your physical measurement sensors (ambient temperature, panel temperature, and insolation) as close as possible to the panels and connect the current clamp with its leads for the voltage measurements: an AC clamp for the measurements on the distribution network and a DC clamp for the measurements on the solar-panel outputs
You then configure the instrument and enter the parameters (panel manufacturer).
These values are subsequently used as a reference to check the panel’s efficiency.
All the measurements are performed simultaneously: voltage, current, power, temperature, etc. Depending on the type of installation, you will need one or more current clamps.
To meet this requirement, 2 pre-configured versions of the FTV-100 are available:
- with 1 current clamp
- with 3 current clamps
The GREENTEST comes with a set of communication accessories that are particularly useful for transmitting measurement results on large installations. A «REMOTE» module allows real-time data transmission up to 100 m away.
It operates either with a Bluetooth series adapter kit over distances of up to 100 m or with a 15 m serial cable with a 9-pin male/male RS232 connector.
Opposite: The remote module, the Pt100 probe, and the pyranometer are positioned on the solar panels installed on the roof of a house. This photo is provided as an illustration only in order to show the physical measurement equipment. In a real-life context, these accessories will be set up to one side so that they do not overshadow the panels and thus reduce their efficiency.
Measurements, processing, and analysis
The GREENTEST Report software can be used initially to calibrate the instrument. It acquires all the measurements in real-time. The display of the measurement curves allows users to check at a glance whether the panel is operating correctly or not. A graphic analysis function is available, in particular on the insolation/power curves, and it is also possible to print out a measurement report.
Firmware updates are also applied via this software.