How does a solar charge controller work?

What does a solar charge controller do?

It acts as a current or voltage regulator to protect the battery from overcharging. Its purpose is to keep the battery properly charged and maintain a long life.

Solar charge controllers are essential for safe and efficient charging of batteries in solar systems.

Can I use solar without charge controller?

Yes, but it is best not to do this as it may damage the battery and possibly lead to a dangerous situation. The basic function of the controller is to block the reverse current and prevent the battery from overcharging. Some good solar controllers have more protection functions, such as over-discharge, overload and so on.

What types of solar charge controllers are there?

There are different types of solar charge controllers such as PWM and MPPT types. The battery types include lifepo4 solar charge controller and lead-acid solar charge controller and other types.

1.lifepo4 solar charge controller
Lifepo4 solar charge controller is a controller that can charge lifepo4 battery.

The advantage is that the lifepo4 solar charge controller has a higher charging voltage and a deeper constant voltage in the last stage of the charging phase.

If you want to get the full capacity of the battery, you may need a charge controller with the lifepo4 profile.

2. PWM charge controller
PWM charge controllers are pulse width modulated. It acts like a switch between the solar panel and the battery.

It regulates the voltage to charge the battery. With a PWM controller, current is drawn from the panel slightly above the battery voltage. 

Our popular PWM controller models are ENS, CP series models.

3. MPPT charge controller
MPPT charge controllers are the most advanced controllers available, but they are expensive.

It can be seen as a DC DC converter. It drops the panel voltage down to the voltage needed to charge the battery. Current increases when voltage drops.
MPPT technology monitors the panel's maximum power point, which changes during the day depending on sunlight and the state of the panel. It offers 99.9% efficiency, transferring most of the power from the solar panel to the battery. With an MPPT solar charge controller, current is drawn from the panel at its maximum power voltage.

Our popular MPPT controller model is the MPPT series. Also, we are developing a new MPPT controller with wifi option. Let us know if you have any suggestions.