If you are hooking up a full array of 400W panels, you will need an adequate solar charge controller (likely of the MPPT variety). This setup does not need a charge controller between the panels and the golf cart batteries. Tiny solar setups are the only exception - 5-watt trickle chargers and similar devices will not need one.įor example, many golf cart owners will keep their batteries charged over winter with a small panel. When Should You Use a Solar Charge Controller?Īlmost all solar systems that utilize batteries will require a solar charge controller. The utility company gathers any excess energy produced and utilizes the electricity. You won’t usually need a solar charge controller for grid-connected renewable energy systems. Who Needs a Solar Charge Controller?Īll off-grid solar systems require a solar charge controller to regulate the energy moving to and from the batteries. They harness excess power that a PWM would otherwise waste. You can use the mass-produced, lower-cost PV modules standard on residential homes.Īn MPPT controller can accept and modulate varying voltages. They can utilize a higher-voltage array with lower-voltage batteries. MPPTs draw out the current at a rate based on the panel’s maximum voltage. MPPT Charge Controllers – MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) controllers are more expensive than PWM, but they are significantly more efficient in many circumstances. Instead, it shuts on and off as the voltage from your solar array inevitably varies - this auto shut-off also results in some loss of power. When the weather becomes colder, batteries operate at less efficient rates.Ī PWM controller is not able to adjust voltages. PWM controllers work best in “ideal” conditions - warm, sunny weather. Off-grid solar panels (those rated at 17-18V) are required when using PWM controllers, which sometimes cost more than grid-tied panels (often rated at 37V). When using a PWM controller, the voltage from the array needs to match the battery voltage. PWM controllers often come standard with small solar systems, such as RV and small cabin setups. PWM Charge Controllers – PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) controllers are generally smaller and less expensive than MPPT controllers. Always choose a controller because it is the right tool for the job - not because it is cheaper. While MPPT controllers typically cost more than PWM, the difference is negligible considering the total solar installation cost. Neither is necessarily “better” than the other - each has advantages depending on climate, array size, and system components. There are two main types of charge controllers: PWM and MPPT. Inconsistencies in the electrical output, power surges, and other external factors can overcharge and damage a solar battery. This amount can range from 10.5V to 14.6V depending on the battery’s current charge, the temperature, and the controller’s charging mode.Ĭharge controllers ultimately protect against battery damage. So, a solar panel must generate at least this much electrical output.Ī solar charge controller takes the electricity from the solar panel - around 16 to 20V - and downregulates it to the voltage the battery currently needs. So, if they were only rated at 12V, they would always be putting out less power - which a 12V battery cannot accept.Ī 12V battery at rest is around 12.7V, and a charging battery is around 13.6 to 14.4V. Solar panels rarely output their full power rating due to clouds, dirt on the panels, or other environmental factors. It may seem counterintuitive, but there is a good reason for it. Solar panels for a 12V battery system are usually rated for 17V. How Does a Solar Charge Controller Work?Ī solar charge controller regulates the voltage transmitted from the solar panels to the batteries. If you are on a grid-tied system, you probably don’t need a solar charge controller. A solar charge controller regulates the electrical current to prevent the battery from electrical surges that can damage it and reduce its lifespan.Ī solar charge controller is essential if your PV solar array feeds a battery bank. Solar generators convert and store power in a battery, with the electrical capacity recharged by the solar panels. What Is a Solar Charge Controller?Ī solar charge controller is a device that regulates the energy that travels from the solar panels into the battery. Let’s explore what exactly a solar charge controller does and whether or not you’ll need one for your setup. A solar charge controller is necessary for most residential PV panel installations. The charge controller is one component of a solar power system that confuses many people. Installing solar panels requires understanding the workings of many components: solar batteries, inverters wiring, conduit bending… If you’re going the DIY route, you could practically work as an electrician once you finish the installation!
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