Charge Controller

To understand anything we need to have proper amount of fundamental knowledge. In a Solar System there are a lot of things that we should know before we go for advance. Like an example what is solar panel , charge controller, inverters etc.We should know how this all work, Let first know how many fundamental elements are there in a Solar System and know how the keyword and terms work. 

Charge Controller :

• Charge Controller is a solar electronics device that helps a solar system work efficiently.
• Charge controller controls the charging process from the solar panel to the battery , and the purpose of the charge controller to keep maximum charge in the battery without uninterrupted  power supply to the load.It protects battery life time.
• It Controls the battery got overcharged. 
• It stops reverse current and secure more energy. 
• It helps the system from overload.
• It Controls the set point vs temperature unit.
• It is easy to monitor battery system with it.

This is a very important device in solar energy system, why! , because this is the device which know how to get maximum power from the solar panel to charge the battery as well as protect the battery by watching its depth of discharge rate (DoD)....

This device is the observer, and it makes sure your solar home system works for you for long time..

If you don't install a Charge Controller your system will face following problems.

1) Your system will miss maximum power..
2) your battery will die very soon
3) your load could suffer from continuous power supply

Connection & Types :

Connection of Charge Controller is pretty easier than other solar products,
Just connect your solar panel and battery and load according to the picture..  Just you need a Screw Driver...

There are two types of Charge Controller are in the market :
1) PWM
2) MPPT  


Comparison between PWM & MPPT :

• PWM basically design on pulse width modulation technology  but MPPT designed on maximum power point tracking system which is much more efficient..
• PV array and battery voltage  should match for PWM but PV voltage can be higher than the battery for MPPT technolongy. Like an example in PWM, solar panel voltage and battery voltage each has to be same voltage like 12V, but in MPPT because it can run series array which means it can handle more voltage than the battery, example a 36V series panel of  PV system can work with 12V battery system if you use MPPT technology but in PWM you can't use series voltage facility.
• PWM charge controller operate at battery voltage so they perform in warm temperature and when battery is full but MPPT charge controller works above battery voltage and can give boost at cold temperature & when the battery is low.
•  PWM charge controller is not design for big systems like above 150Watt Solar System ,if you want to install solar system higher than 150W then you have to choose MPPT charge controller...
• PWM is design for off-grid systems not for grid-tie system on the other hand MPPT can work in both off-grid and on-grid.. 
• PWM operating voltage and current is lower than the MPPT 
• PWM can't track maximum power from the solar panel but MPPT does it. 
• MPPT Charge Controllers are expensive but PWM charge controllers are cheap. 
• Many inverters like Enphase system apply MPPT technology as a built in charge controller. 
  

Note : So advice is choose PWM charge controller for under <150W solar system if you have budget problem otherwise MPPT charge controller should be your first choice...


Hope you like this post (Jajakallahu khair)