how to test my solar panel?

[uydarp]

i have connected 18 (6x6) cells and 18 (3x6) as shown in the image, i get around 19v when kept under sun light, i connected it to a 12v 12amh battery via a charge controller. And when i took the Amp reading it showed only 1.5A in full sunlight. What is the average Amps that i have to get from such a panel setup?

p.s. this is my first panel n i know i didnot do it perfectly.
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[axis11]

Do not mix different sized cells as their output is different. Series connection and voltage adds up, current is constant.Your panels Maximum current is as strong only as your weakest cell. Test each individual cell for short circuit current. Join cells in series having similar output. remove low output cells.

[uydarp]

Do not mix different sized cells as their output is different. Series connection and voltage adds up, current is constant.Your panels Maximum current is as strong only as your weakest cell. Test each individual cell for short circuit current. Join cells in series having similar output. remove low output cells.

thanks for the quick reply how do i test for short circuit? how do i test the amps of each cell??

[axis11]

Set multimeter to dc amp mode. Poke + probe under solar cell, - probe on top of cell= short circuit current.

[billvon]

Two most important measurements:

Open circuit voltage (measure with meter set on "V DC")
Short circuit current (measure with meter set on "I DC" or "amps DC")

Once you know that you can estimate the panel's maximum power output.