Getting solar charge controllers for off-grid systems.

If you’re thinking of getting an off-grid system, you’ve probably been researching the various different things it requires that an on-grid system doesn’t. One of these things is a solar charge controller, which act as a gateway to your battery so you don’t overcharge and damage your storage system. Keep reading to learn which types of solar chargers there are and if you should get a solar charge controller for your solar energy system.

What a solar charge controller is.

When you have an off-grid solar power system, you’ll also need batteries for energy storage so you can keep your system running at night or during blackouts. The problem with batteries, however, is that they often overcharge when not properly regulated. If you overcharge your batteries, you could damage your batteries and even your system. A solar charge controller is put in place to prevent your batteries from overcharging.

If you have an off-grid system, you’ll want a solar charge controller, and that could mean multiple things. From running your entire home off-grid, to putting smaller off-grid panels on your boats or RVs, you’ll want to get a solar charge controller. If you’re on the grid, on the other hand, you have no need to get one. If you have batteries, all your excess energy will go into the grid.

The two types of solar charge controller.

When you’re deciding on which solar charge controller you want, there are two types to choose from: Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) controllers an Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controllers.

The first type, PWM, are the standard charge controllers most shoppers will find. They are easier to use and cheaper. They slowly reduce the amount of power allowed to go into your battery, and then they trickle off any excess energy, which means they supply a tiny amount of power constantly to keep the battery topped off. If you get one of these, your system and battery need to have matching voltages, which makes these systems better for smaller systems with low voltage panels and little batteries.

The second type, MPPT, are more expensive because they are more complex. With these types of controllers, your panels and batteries don’t have to have matching voltages, making them much more efficient and easier to apply to any solar system set-up. They work in much the same way, reducing power to your batteries as they begin to reach capacity, so you don’t have to worry about them being a less effective method, either.

How to tell if a solar charge controller is the right choice for you.

Most people are on the grid, and therefore, you won’t have to spend any money on a solar charge controller. However, if you are on the grid, you’re definitely going to need one. If you don’t have one and are off the grid, your excess energy won’t have anywhere to go, and you could end up ruining your solar energy system. Otherwise, a solar charge controller would be a total waste of money, and you definitely shouldn’t spend any money on them.

Want to learn more about the different solar technologies you’ll need to invest in if you get different types of solar systems? Check out the HahaSmart blog for daily updates to receive constant tips, tricks, and information about all kinds of solar technologies, solar costs, solar installations, and the effects of solar on our world.

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