Choosing the perfect solar charge controller for your solar project  Go Back
Author: Herholdt's Group   Date: 02 November 2021

Every solar kit needs a solar charge controller (or regulator). The main job of a controller is to automate and protect battery charging. There are several ways it does this:

With solar charge controllers, which are also called solar charge regulators, the battery is monitored based on the power generated by solar panels. Based on the voltage readings, a solar charge controller will determine when to disconnect or reconnect your battery from its power source. These devices come with digital displays that indicate your battery's charge status.

Panels and batteries, without a solar charge controller, would overcharge the batteries by generating too much current, causing serious damage.

The controller detects low battery voltage. When the battery falls below a certain voltage, the controller disconnects the load to prevent it from being drained.

When a battery is completely drained, it loses some capacity. It is important to note, however, that low voltage can still damage the battery if there is a load attached. During the night, the solar controller prevents any rechargeable solar panels from being damaged by the current flowing backwards.

A controller can also control the load's current when the load is connected to the controller. In contrast to the load dump of a wind turbine controller, the load terminal on a controller is intended for direct connection with the load. It still works normally even if no load is directly connected to it.

In MPPT controllers, solar panels and batteries are kept at optimal power levels. A variety of MPPT controller models are available and are highly effective, especially in cold weather.

MPPT technology continuously monitors the voltage output and current output of your solar (PV) panels to ensure that every drop of power you can harvest is rinsed out of your panels. It's especially noticeable when the sky is partly clouded, and light intensity is constantly changing.

MPPTs without digital elements are more affordable than digital solar controllers, but less efficient. Microprocessor MPPT solar charge controllers are the most efficient MPPT units, since they analyze the charging curve of the battery charger in minute detail and adjust to maximize efficiency.

Remote Monitoring and Control - By pairing a MPPT charger with your smartphone or other device through a remote management portal, you can access the full power of the MPPT charger every time, anywhere. Remote installations - without an internet connection or a phone signal - may be monitored by bluetooth-pairing with an optional LoRaWAN (long-range wide area network) device.

Optional SmartSolar Control Display - By adding the SmartSolar Control Display you will be able to check the status of your Charger and battery storage at a glance. Simply plug it into the face of your MPPT charger to provide you with real-time monitoring and set-up capabilities.

PWM controllers reduce the charging current when the battery voltage reaches its maximum in order to prevent overheating. It is more efficient than using series control.

The PWM technology minimizes or eliminates any voltage or current losses between the battery and the panel. As well as extending battery life, it can protect it from short circuits, overheating, and overcharging.

You don't need only one panel and one battery to use a PWM charge controller; a 10A controller can be used to regulate the charging of a series of solar panels connected in parallel with a capacity of 160 watts. A 20A PWM controller can control a 12V solar panel bank of 320W and a 24V solar panel bank of 640W. Also, a PWM controller can be used to connect solar panels to a 12V battery bank as long as the batteries are the same size and in good condition.

Compactness is another advantage of the 10A controller. It's a great little device that has universal compatibility, simplicity, and an understanding of solar panels, batteries, and loads! It's in most small and medium kits.

Let the Herholdt’s Group help you find the perfect solar charge controller for your project.