The Solar Charge Controller or Solar Ladekontroller is an important component of the Solar panel system. These electronic devices are responsible for charging the batteries at the proper rate and levels. They regulate the amount of charge entering and existing batteries. The charge controllers help the batteries from any kind of issues such as Undervoltage, over-charging, leaking, etc. Solar charge controllers regulate the battery of solar panels or Solaranlage by using the output.
There is a wide variety of Solar Charge controllers or Solar Ladekontroller available in the market. Two major types of charge controllers are maximum power point tracking (MPPT)and pulse-width modulation (PWM). A small grid system with less number of solar panels and batteries uses PWM controllers. Large grid systems need more efficient charge controllers that’s why they use MPPT controllers.
Functions of a Solar Charge Controller
Apart from regulating the amount of current entering and exiting batteries, modern solar charge controllers perform some other functions.
Block Reverse Current
By controlling the current entering into batteries, these controllers facilitate the unidirectional flow of current from the output of the Solaranlage panels to the batteries. At night when solar panels stop working, some current begins flowing in the reverse direction that is from batteries to solar panels, Controllers tend to prevent it. By building only a one-way road for current, solar panels prevent the battery from discharging.
Protection from Undervoltage and Overcharging
Batteries can get damaged faster if they are used when half empty. The solar charge controllers have a feature of Low Voltage Disconnect. In this, they tend to disconnect the batteries when batteries are empty and allow them to charge again and then function. This helps to increase the battery life and prevent a situation of Undervoltage.
Just like undercharging batteries is bad, overcharging batteries is also dangerous. Once the batteries are fully charged, they should be removed from charging. Overcharge batteries can explode or damage other appliances to which they are connected. Solar charge controllers stop charging once the batteries are full. This helps to increase the lifespan of batteries and keep them intact.
Help Monitor Solar Panels
It can be hard to understand the state of solar panels and analyze their performance just by looking at them. Solar Charge Controllers are the best devices for the owner of the solar plant to understand the state of the system. These are stand-alone devices that let the owner know the voltage of panels, battery performance, and temperature. With advancements in technology, some new and innovative controllers have been introduced that possess Bluetooth and Wifi connecting features.
These provide complete details about the system and allow the owner to make the relevant changes. Some of the Solar Charge controllers have also come up with a troubleshooting and history recording feature. This helps the owner find the problem and fix it as soon as it occurs.
PWM Controllers vs MPPT Controllers
In PWM controllers Array voltage is brought down to battery voltage. These are operated under Vmp. These are best suited for small modules. PWM controllers are better for hot climates.
MPPT converts the input voltage to amperage. These operate at Vmp. These are suitable for both big and small modules having lower watt costs. MPPT controllers are more complex than PWM controllers.
It depends on the needs of the users. Both controllers have their pros and cons. Choosing the right one requires a bit of research and knowledge. MPPT provides an increased energy harvest. These controllers work on array voltages higher than the battery voltages. These have fewer module restrictions and can support multiple modules and array configurations. One major shortcoming of these charge controllers is that they are more expensive than the other PWM controllers. But it is worth the money.
Solar panels work best in winter but if you don’t have an MPPT controller, batteries won’t be recharged. If your batteries are far from the solar plant system, you might need long wires to connect which will result in power loss. The best solution to this is an efficient MPPT charge controller. This will allow you to connect the plant with batteries using short wires.
PWT charge controller is best for you if you are looking for a low-cost system. It reduces battery heating and gassing. There are multiple options available for PWT controllers. It has an inbuilt ability to adjust to temperature effects and voltage drops. To use PWT controllers, the batteries and the solar plant must work at the same voltage. They work well for small or single panels. One major drawback of PWT is that the excess energy generated by solar panels is often wasted.
Conclusion
One major difference between the two types of charge controllers is efficiency. MPPT controllers possess advanced technology and are more efficient. In a nutshell, both the MPPT and PWM charge controllers are differently built and have their specifications. Users must know what they need and then compare both the charge controllers to get the best one. For residential and large solar systems, MPPT is the best option to rely on. And if you are looking for an all-in-one solution, grab the Ecoflow Solar generator.
