Solar charge controllers are required by virtually all solar power systems that involve the use of batteries. They work to control the power moving from the solar panels to the batteries. This prevents overcharging of the batteries, ensuring that they last as long as possible. You can go to solar power battery info.
When the level of voltage in a battery passes a certain threshold, the charge controller will halt the charging process. Previously, most charge controllers had mechanical relays, which opened and closed the circuit.
More recent charge controllers make use of pulse width modulation (PWM). This is a process in which, as the battery starts to reach a fully charged state, the amount of power being supplied to it gradually decreases. PWM extends battery life even more, as it decreases stress on the battery. It’s also possible to use a PWM charge controller to keep batteries “floating,” or in a completely charged state, for as long as you need. As they don’t rely on mechanical connections, PWM chargers are generally more reliable.
Maximum power point tracking, or MPPT, is the most recent advancement in solar charge controller technology. MPPT controllers have the ability to turn extra voltage into amperage. This function has a couple of major benefits.
Most solar power systems use 12 volt batteries, similar to the ones found in cars, but these benefits hold regardless of voltage. Solar panels usually provide a lot more voltage than the batteries require. Converting the excess voltage into amps reduces the time necessary to charge the battery, while keeping the charge voltage at an optimal level. This way, the solar power system as a whole operates at the highest possible level of efficiency.
MPPT charge controllers also make a difference in terms of power loss. As low-voltage electricity travels along wires, it can experience high levels of loss, dragging down the efficiency of the system. A PWM charge controller used in a system with 12v batteries, for example, would use electricity of about 18v. MPPT controllers are able to make use of significantly higher voltage. MPPT controllers have less power loss because of this improvement.
MPPT charge controllers are in most cases more expensive than older ones, but the advantage is significant. They’re highly recommended for this reason. Finally, it can also be possible to prevent reverse-current flow with certain modern charge controllers. In some cases, at night, the batteries may start to return power to the solar panels. This power loss can definitely be discouraging. When the solar panels stop sending electricity, the charge controller opens the circuit, preventing the batteries from sending any back to them.
Rising oil prices and concerns about pollution are motivating a significant number of people to think about solar battery chargers. Read 12 volt solar charger if you are interested in learning more about the 12 volt charger.
Can you make your own solar panel system less than $200? If you want to know the answer, take a look at this guide Homemade Energy Review. In this guide, you will get specific instructions on what is best to build based on the size of your house and your location. You will also get step-by-step diagrams on how to build your own solar power system.