A solar power system improves a solar storage system’s efficiency. If you live in an area that experiences frequent power outages, the solar storage system will allow you to power your home using solar energy. So as not to harm or overpower the battery backup, the controller limits the number of energy that can be transferred into it to avoid exceeding its voltage capacity.
You may or may not require a solar charge controller, depending on the type of solar+storage setup you have. Everything need to knowing about this application will be covered here.
Types And Benefits
The output of the solar panel might vary based on the amount of sunshine, temperature, and the quality of a solar cells within the panel. The efficiency of solar panels is affected by a variety of factors, including these.
Batteries are protected by a solar charge controller, which reduces the risk of overcharging. A “trickle charge” is also sent because when battery is getting close to being full. Using a trickle charge ensures that the battery is never overcharged due to its constant loss of power.
Solar charge controllers are not necessary if ones have a grid-tied solar storage systems that is either ground-mounted or installed on your roof. The grid will be able to take use of any extra solar energy you have after the battery is full. It’s a good idea to get a controller if you’re using your solar power system off-grid.
Pulsed Width Modulated (PWM) & Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) are the two major types of solar controllers (MPPT). If you have a modest solar storage system with low power panels and small batteries, PWM controllers are a better fit. If you have a solar panel system with more than 200 watts, an MPPT controller is the best option.
Controllers For PWM
Keeping your solar panels at same voltage as your battery is one of the primary functions of a PWM controller. Despite the fact that the “nominal voltage” of a solar cell can fluctuate and often being slightly higher, the battery voltage must equal that of the solar panel.
In order to control the flow, a PWM controller pulses the power to the battery in order to slow down / speed up a charging process. When it comes to voltage levels, some PWM controllers could only handle one, whereas others handle several. There must be a constant voltage between the battery and solar panel, no matter what.
It is possible to add additional capabilities to PWM controllers, which are otherwise simple devices.
Controllers For MPPT
When compared to PWM systems, MPPT controllers are able to charge a reduced voltage batteries from a there solar array and, in certain cases, a large voltage battery from the lower voltage solar array, depending on the circumstances.
For example, the more voltage a system has, the smaller the current (amperage) will be; the other way around. Off-grid solar storage systems could use panels with a different voltage that their batteries because an MPPT controller regulates the rate & current of the voltage going from the solar panels to the battery.
Using an MPPT controller, which reduces the amperage and so doubles the voltage delivered to the battery, a solar panel with a nominal value of 24 volts may power a 48-volt battery.
MPPT controllers are able to lower the voltage of the battery while maintaining the higher yield of the solar array, allowing the battery to catch more from the sun’s energy. As a result, the payback period for the more expensive solution may be shortened and your capacity to rely completely on solar energy will be increased.
The following are some of the additional controller functions that may be purchased for an additional fee:
- System voltage and amperage can be monitored using LEDs.
- Connected devices that can be monitored remotely.
- Charging two batteries simultaneously is possible because to the dual outputs.
- Increased distance between battery and panels requires longer wire.
- Because batteries charge at various rates in different temperatures, temperature sensors will enhance charging efficiency.
- When the battery in a DC-operated equipment runs low, a low voltage disconnect kicks in.
