A portable circuit for real time curve tracing for solar panels embedded in solar fields

A portable circuit for the continuous monitoring of the I-V curves of solar panels is presented. The circuit doesn't require to remove the solar panels from the field, it exploits a remote controlled solid-state switch to temporary isolate the solar panel from the string; meanwhile, a free path for the string current is allowed in order to prevent the interruption of power delivering. The accuracy of the system has been assessed by comparison with high precision lab instrumentation. On field experiments, performed in different situations, evidenced the suitability of the circuit for the diagnostic of outdoor operating solar panels.