Fluke PV Solar Testing Solutions

The growth of the solar energy industry requires new solar testing equipment solutions for electricians, PV installers, and technicians. Fluke offers a range of specialized tools, including solar meters and other critical solar tools, for surveying, installing, maintaining, and reporting on solar installations. Whether you're commissioning a new PV array or performing routine maintenance on a solar farm or photovoltaic power station, Fluke's solar testing equipment has you covered.

PV systems have unique needs that require specialized tools for surveying, installing, maintaining and reporting on solar installations.

• Measure and display I-V curves up to 1500V and 30A, including on high efficiency modules (PVA-1500HE2)
• Sweep-to-sweep delay of 9 seconds to measure 3.5MW in <1hr
• Wireless interfaces for faster setup, safer work environments, and freedom of movement during PV troubleshooting
• Automates data management, analysis and reporting

• 283 FC Digital Multimeter and a 283 FC True-RMS Wireless Current Clamp: Highly accurate voltage measurements for precise frontline troubleshooting; current measurements up to 60 A AC/DC for safely troubleshooting individual strings of modules with greater accuracy (with wireless current clamp)
• 393 FC Clamp Meter: Measure safely with CAT III 1500 V certified clamp meter; thin jaw for access to cables in crowded combiner boxes
• IRR2-BT Irradiance Meter Pro: Measure solar irradiance, ambient and PV module temperature, array orientation and tilt angles; make instantaneous measurements to determine watts per square meter solar irradiation, required by IEC 62446-1 standard
• 87V MAX Industrial Multimeter: Identify complex signal problems fast with analog bar graph; captures intermittents as fast as 250 μS with Peak Capture

• Open-circuit voltage (VOC) measurement at PV module/string up to 1000 V DC
• Short-circuit (ISC) current measurement at PV module/string up to 20 A DC
• On-location I-V curve results compares manufacturer I-V curve data to measured data on analyzer screens
• Accurately measures modules with efficiency of up to approximately 19%

• Quickly create inspections and reports compliant with IEC 62446-1 and other directives
• I-V curve analysis with easy pass/fail visuals; see changes in I-V curve over multiple site visits
• Compare site data to previous site data to see changes over time

Working on residential solar installations comes with unique challenges, such as spending days on top of hot, wet or windy rooftops among panels, wires and inverters. It is a therefore a priority to procure equipment that is safe and reliable. Fluke Solar tools are designed to withstand a wide range of outdoor weather conditions and the rough tumbles inevitable in rooftop work. With durable, accurate and safe tools at their fingertips, new and veteran technicians alike can ensure that residential projects are completed flawlessly, and in a timely manner.

Multifunction PV Testers and Irradiance Meters

Best suited for:

- Solar panels, combiner boxes, and inverter boxes

- On-location I-V curve results

- Optimizing placement of solar power systems and window efficiency

Clamp Meters

Best suited for:

- Measuring voltage and current with FieldSense technology

- Power quality indicator shows what problems are related to

- Completing 3-phase measurements

Digital Multimeters

Best suited for:

- Installing and troubleshooting combiner boxes and inverters

- Quickly detecting voltage

- Environments with both AC and DC or ghost voltages

SMFT-1000

Multifunction PV Tester

IRR2-BT

Irradiance Meter

378 FC

Clamp Meter

325

Clamp Meter

87V

Digital Multimeter

Insulation Testers

Best suited for:

- Incorporating VFD low-pass filter for accurate variable frequency motor drive measurements

- Auto-discharging capacitive voltage for added user protection

- Measuring ac/dc voltage, dc millivolts, ac/dc milliamps, resistance, and continuity

Power Quality

Best suited for:

- Troubleshooting and preventing problems in power systems

- Conducting load studies

Temperature Tools

Best suited for:

- Inspecting PV modules for troubleshooting polarity, electrical panels, and breaker panels for detection of "hot spots"

- Monitoring cooling fluid levels such as dielectric oils for transformers

1507

Insulation Tester

1587 FC

Insulation Tester

1777

Power Quality Analyzer

PTi120

Thermal Imager

64 MAX

Thermometer

Earth Ground

Best suited for:

- Confirming that earth resistance meets safety compliance

- Validating that grounding systems have not deteriorated

Software

Best suted for:

- Simplifying preventive maintenance programs

- Seamlessly integrating tool data into software

- Diagnosing asset health with cloud-based data sharing

Accessories

Best suited for:

- 1000 V AC and 1500 V DC

- Critical part of NFPA 70E

- PV test leads ensure safe current and voltage measurements on PV modules and systems

1625-2

Earth Ground Tester

1630-2

Stakeless Clamp

Fluke Connect

Wireless Data Application

TrueTest

Data Management Software

Insulated Hand Tool Kit

While similar in many ways to residential solar installation, commercial and industrial (C&I) solar installs are more complex, spanning a wide variety of end-customers, system designs, and project sizes. Because of this, Fluke has carefully crafted the tools that technicians will need to ensure C&I solar customers get the maximum value out of their PV assets. Designed for safety, durability, and accuracy, these C&I solar tools can handle medium- to large-scale solar systems, while also withstanding a wide range of outdoor weather conditions.

Multifunction PV Testers and Irradiance Meters

Best suited for:

- Solar panels, combiner boxes, and inverter boxes

- On-location I-V curve results

- Optimizing placement of solar power systems and window efficiency

Clamp Meters

Best suited for:

- Measuring voltage and current with FieldSense technology

- Power quality indicator shows what problems are related to

- Completing 3-phase measurements

Digital Multimeters

Best suited for:

- Installing and troubleshooting combiner boxes and inverters

- Quickly detecting voltage

- Environments with both AC and DC or ghost voltages

SMFT-1000

Multifunction PV Tester

IRR2-BT

Irradiance Meter

378 FC

Clamp Meter

325

Clamp Meter

87V

Digital Multimeter

v3003FC Kit

Wireless Multimeter Kit

Insulation Testers

Best suited for:

- Incorporating VFD low-pass filters for accurate variable frequency motor drive measurements

- Auto-discharging capacitive voltage for added user protection

- Measuring ac/dc voltage, dc millivolts, ac/dc milliamps, resistance, and continuity

Power Quality

Best suited for:

- Troubleshooting and preventing problems in power systems

- Conducting load studies

Temperature Tools

Best suited for:

- Inspecting PV modules for troubleshooting polarity, electrical panels, and breaker panels for detection of "hot spots"

- Monitoring cooling fluid levels such as dielectric oils for transformers

Battery Analyzers

Best suited for:

- Troubleshooting and testing on stationary batteries and banks

- Designed for measurement on stationary batteries

1507

InsulationTester

1587 FC

InsulationTester

1777

Power Quality Analyzer

PTi120

Thermal Imager

64 MAX

Thermometer

BT521

Battery Analyzer

Earth Ground

Best suited for:

- Confirming that earth resistance meets safety compliance

- Validating that grounding systems have not deteriorated

Software

Best suted for:

- Simplifying preventive maintenance programs

- Seamlessly integrating tool data into software

- Diagnosing asset health with cloud-based data sharing

Accessories

Best suited for:

- 1000 V AC and 1500 V DC

- Critical part of NFPA 70E

- PV test leads ensure safe current and voltage measurements on PV modules and systems

1625-2

Earth Ground Tester

1630-2

Stakeless Clamp

Fluke Connect

Wireless Data Application

TrueTest

Data Management Software

Insulated Hand Tool Kit

PVLEAD1

PV Test Leads

Working on utility-scale solar projects leaves little room for error. These high-impact, high-stakes projects deliver vast amounts of clean energy to the grid and must be installed carefully due to their complex, high-voltage natures.

Utility-scale solar is the energy of the future - Fluke offers technicians the next generation of tools they need to execute these projects with confidence.

Network Tools

Best suited for:

- Inspecting and cleaning fiber optic end-faces

- Certifying fiber loss at installations

- Finding fiber optic cabling faults

PV Analyzers

Best suited for:

- High-Efficiency Module Compatible: Up to 30A (PVA-1500HE2 only)

- 500V I-V Tracer: Measures precise I-V and PV curves

- Quick Throughput: Sweeps in 9s; 3.5MW in <1hr

OptiFiber Pro

OTDR

FI-500

Inspection Camera

SimpliFiber Pro

Fiber Loss Tester

PVA 1500HE2

PV Analyzer I-V Curve Tracer

PVA 1500T2

PV Analyzer I-V Curve Tracer

Digital Multimeters

Best suited for:

- Troubleshooting inverters, combiners, strings of modules, or individual modules

- Taking highly accurate voltage measurements

- Preventing accidental module wiring issues with visual and audio polarity indicators 

- Meeting safety requirements for IEC 61010-2-032 and IEC 61730- 1 (with 283 FC/PV)

Clamp Meters

Best suited for:

- 1500 V DC and 1000 V AC

- Measuring voc, isc, DC power, check polarity, continuity and resistance

- Measuring 1000 A AC/DC in combiner boxes, inverters, breakers or disconnects

Earth Ground

Best suited for:

- Confirming that earth resistance meets safety compliance

- Validating that grounding systems have not deteriorated

283FC

Solar Digital Multimeter

283 FC/PV

Solar Digital Multimeter/Current Clamp

393 FC

Clamp Meter

1625-2

Earth Ground

1630-2

Stakeless Clamp

Insulation Testers

Best suited for:

- Wide range of tests including simple spot checks, timed tests and breakdown tests

- Insulation resistance testing up to 10 kV

- Use with switchgear, conductors and cables

Power Quality

Best suited for:

- Troubleshooting and preventing problems in power generation, transmission and distribution systems

- Conducting load studies to reduce energy usage

Thermal Imagers

Best suited for:

- Inspecting PV modules for troubleshooting polarity, electrical panels, and breaker panels for detection of "hot spots"

- Monitoring cooling fluid levels such as dielectric oils for transformers

- High resolution imagery allowing technicians to stand outside of arc flash zones and still visualize necessary details

1587 FC

Insulation Tester

1555 FC

Insulation Tester

1777

Power Quality Analyzer

PTi120

Thermal Imager

Ti480 PRO

Thermometer

Battery Analyzer

Best suited for:

- Troubleshooting and performance testing on stationary batteries and battery banks

- Measuring stationary batteries of all types

Software

Best suted for:

- Simplifying preventive maintenance programs

- Seamlessly integrating tool data into software

- Diagnosing asset health with cloud-based data sharing

Accessories

Best suited for:

- 1000 V AC and 1500 V DC

- Critical part of NFPA 70E

- PV test leads ensure safe current and voltage measurements on PV modules and systems

BT521

Battery analyzer

Fluke Connect

Wireless Data Application

TrueTest

Data Management Software

Insulated Hand Tool Kit

PVLEAD1

Test leads

Fluke Solar Tools and TestEquipmentDepot.com held an exclusive, solutions-based webinar covering the solar industry's best practices and tools, with a focus on techniques for PV commissioning and maintenance.

• Review CAT ratings and how they apply to solar
• Overview of IEC 62446-1 testing requirements
• Review of ground and arc fault testing procedures
• PV installation, commissioning, operations and maintenance including:
  • Insulation resistance testing
  • I-V curve testing
  • Earth-bond continuity
  • Ground resistance testing
  • Performance tests
  • Thermal imaging
  • Visual inspections
  • Power quality analysis

Speaker

Will White: Solar Application Specialist, Fluke Corporation

Download Fluke's Solar Energy Resources Guide, 2024 (pdf)

Download Fluke's Solar Commercial and Residential Brochure (pdf)

Download Fluke's Solar Utility-Scale Brochure (pdf)

Download Fluke's Guide to Repowering Utility-Scale Solar Brochure (pdf)

Download Press Release: "Fluke Corp. Acquires Solar Test and Measurement Leader, Solmetric (pdf)