Solar system charge controller

How does a solar charge controller work?

A solar charge controller prevents the battery from overcharging by regulating the voltage and current coming from the solar panel. To put it simply, a solar charge controller regulates the power that’s transferred from a solar panel to a battery.

Why do solar panels need a charge controller?

Since solar panels produce different amounts of electricity depending on factors such as weather conditions, the charge controller ensures that excess power doesn't damage the batteries. Without a charge controller, a solar-powered system wouldn't be able to function optimally, and the batteries would quickly degrade.

How efficient is a solar charge controller?

In our example, the charge controller would average around 80% efficiency. This means it’s very important to make sure the output voltage of the solar panels is not too much higher than the voltage of your battery bank with a PWM charge controller to minimize wasted energy.

Which charge controller is best for a solar power system?

MPPT charge controllers are highly recommended for most large solar power systems. PWM charge controllers are typically only a viable option for portable applications such as for RV trips or possibly for a small off-grid cottage.

How do I choose a solar charge controller?

To select a solar charge controller, you need to know the type of system you’ll be using it with, whether it be a 12, 24, 48-volt, or 110-volt/220-volt AC system. You also need to know the total number of batteries of your system, as well as their amp-hour capacities.

Why do I need a PWM solar charge controller?

The voltage and current put out by your solar panels are always shifting, so this inevitably leads to some waste when using a PWM solar charge controller. When batteries are full, PWM charge controllers keep supplying a tiny amount of power to keep your batteries full.