How Does A Solar Panel Charge Controller Work

A charge controller or charge regulator is basically a voltage and or current regulator to keep batteries from overcharging.

How does a solar panel charge controller work.

Solar charge controller acts as a regulator that connects solar panels and the batteries. It also ensures that power does not go back towards the solar panels overnight which can drain the batteries. The pmw solar charge controller will match the solar panels voltage to that of the battery bank that is 11 7 v but keep the current at 5 2a. It safeguards the deep cycle batteries from being overcharged during the day.

The good news though is that the power going into your battery array increases as it gets charged. At a most basic level charge controllers prevent batteries from being overcharged and prevent the batteries from discharging through the solar panel array at night. Charging your batteries with a solar panel is a great way to use clean renewable energy. How charge controllers work solar charge controllers are an essential element to any solar electric panel system.

Most 12 volt panels put out about 16 to 20 volts so if there is no regulation the batteries will be damaged from overcharging. A solar charge controller also known as a solar regulator is essentially a solar battery charger connected between the solar panel s and battery. Written by windy dankoff. There are two main types of solar charge controller the pulse width modulation regulator and the maximum power point tracking regulator.

It regulates the voltage and current coming from the solar panels going to the battery. Batteries are almost always installed with a charge controller. Solar charge controllers work by regulating this voltage to a level that can safely charge batteries and run appliances. Its job is to regulate the battery charging process to ensure the battery is charged correctly or more importantly not over charged.

That way you get 11 7 x 5 2 60 watts going into your battery bank instead of 100 watts. The charge controller in your solar installation sits between the energy source panels and storage batteries. It prevents overcharging of batteries by limiting the amount and rate of charge to your batteries. However before you can get started you ll need to install a charge controller which regulates the voltage from the solar panel as it s transferred to the battery.

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