MPPT solar charge controllers for your solar system
The job of a solar charge controller is to regulate the charging process, to ensure the battery is charged safely and isn’t over-charged. DC-linked solar charge controllers are used in almost all personal off-grid solar energy systems.
The two main types of solar panel charge controllers are Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) and Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) controllers. MPPT are much more advanced than PWM controllers, and make it possible for the solar panel to constantly operate at the optimal voltage for the highest amount of power output.
What is MPPT
MPPT stands for Maximum Power Point Tracking, and is an efficient DC to DC converter used to maximize a solar panel’s power output. This technology was developed in 1985 and is now one of the most popular solar charging solutions for off-grid and grid tied systems.
The principle of an MPPT solar controller is rather simple. Because the amount of sunlight hitting a solar array constantly changes throughout the day, the panel voltage and current continuously changes. The MPPT controller will adjust its input voltage to collect the most power from the solar array, and then it will transform it to battery voltage and pass it through.
Using this dynamic technology, the solar panel controller is more efficient, and enables the solar panels to generate up to 30% more solar power than a PWM charge controller. This also depends on the battery bank voltage, and on the voltage of your solar array.
The advantages of MPPT over PWM
MPPT solar charge controllers are able to convert the excess voltage generated by your solar array, into amperage. As a result, MPPT controllers have multiple advantages over PWM in various different areas.
First of all, MPPT controllers reduce the amount of power lost during the transport of energy from the panel to the battery. This type of controller is able to collect the much higher voltages in the cables from the panels and then convert the excess voltage into additional Amps. This means that it utilizes as much of the power generated by the panel as possible for charging the battery.
Another benefit of MPPT is that because it can safely deal with excess voltages, you can easily grow your system in the future. Also, when the controller detects that there is no more power coming from the solar panels, it opens the circuit and disconnects your batteries from your panels. This prevents reverse flow of the current, which can severely shorten the lifespan of your batteries.
Choosing an MPPT solar charge controller
It is very important to choose a correctly sized charge controller. A charge controller that doesn’t fit your needs can result in up to a 50% loss of power generated by your solar panels. Simply speaking, the Amp (A) rating of the charge controller should amount to 15-20% of the battery’s capacity. For example, A 100 Amp/hour battery will need a 20A solar charge controller.
To get a more in-depth understanding of how to properly size your MPPT charge controller, we suggest reading this article from Victron. It goes into detail about every part of selecting a controller that’ll fit your needs.
Delivery times, shipping terms, and other info
Once your order is confirmed, we will ship your package within 24-48 hours. Thanks to our trusted courier partners, our typical delivery time is 1 to 3 days, but it can take more or less time depending on your location.
If you have any questions regarding a solar charge controller that interests you or that you have already purchased, feel free to contact us at support@heatso.com. Our support team will be happy to help!
