Testing Solar Cells without Sun

[carnini]

I am on my first build and the weather has been horrilble of late, a good 10 days or rain and more expected soon, very unusual but not much you can do about it.
I have tabbed all my cells and put a couple together when the weather was good.

My question is, what is a reliable way to test the cells as I put them together without the use of the sun?

I would like to find some way to test them as I put them together and before I encapsulate them all.

My hope is that there is some way so I can be all ready when this rain is over.

I am using 3x6 cells, 36 in total.

[Sunking]

There is not really anyway you can test them except Voc in very bright artificial light and that will yield poor results.

[carnini]

There is not really anyway you can test them except Voc in very bright artificial light and that will yield poor results.

Darn,
That really stinks, figured the weather would turn on me.

[ukenergy]

Testing Solar Panels without the sun

Some interesting videos here showing how it can be down - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sItYsRJo2R8

[Mike90250]

.......My question is, what is a reliable way to test the cells as I put them together without the use of the sun?........

Same way you BBQ without heat. You have to wait till the grill is hot, or the sun is out. Or have a 3,000w Klieg light

[carnini]

Same way you BBQ without heat. You have to wait till the grill is hot, or the sun is out. Or have a 3,000w Klieg light

I do have a big grow light from years ago but it is not at this house, almost thought of going to get it. I think it is Metal Halid, 1000W.

[Mike90250]

Metal Halide might work, but really better to wait for real sun.

[john p]

you can use a 100w lamp and move it over each cell to see if the output of each cell is about the same.(reading panel output) the reading will be lower of course than in sunlight. There is no simple way you can check the for maximum panel output..

[carnini]

Might just try that.
I am having a hard time touching the positive terminal on back of the cell to test it.
The meter I have is a pain I guess to try and touch with a pointy testing end on such a small cell.
I know I read some people use a copper piece but I have no idea where to get one.