testing the efficiency of a solar panel

[waspinator]

I've got a few small solar panels I want to play around with and test their efficiencies. I want to automate the processes and was thinking of having a micro controlled electric load and logging the voltage and current generated to create IV curves. Would I want a constant current, power, or resistance load to do the tests? I've seen Dave's video about making a constant current load, but are there any similar tutorials/designs available for making constant power or resistance loads?

here are some I found:

constant current
http://www.sleepyrobot.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/currentload-rev2.pdf

constant power
http://www.kerrywong.com/2013/10/24/building-a-constant-currentconstant-power-electronic-load/

constant resistance
http://embedderslife.wordpress.com/2013/02/07/dummy-load-now-truly-resistive/

thanks

[LeonAtchinson]

I've got a few small solar kit I want to play around with and test their efficiencies. I want to automate the processes and was thinking of having a micro controlled electric load and logging the voltage and current generated to create IV curves. Would I want a constant current, power, or resistance load to do the tests? I've seen Dave's video about making a constant current load, but are there any similar tutorials/designs available for making constant power or resistance loads?

here are some I found:

constant current
http://www.sleepyrobot.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/currentload-rev2.pdf

constant power
http://www.kerrywong.com/2013/10/24/building-a-constant-currentconstant-power-electronic-load/

constant resistance
http://embedderslife.wordpress.com/2013/02/07/dummy-load-now-truly-resistive/

thanks

Thanks..Glad you shared out the way to calculate the efficiency of these panels..I have got new solar power system so the information will surely help me