Do you want to know how to set up a mppt solar charge controller? An MPPT solar charge controller has made harnessing the sun’s energy easier.
Think of it as a conductor for your solar system. It ensures your solar panels work at their best, like a conductor leading a perfect orchestra.
Setting up an MPPT charge controller is like tuning an instrument, and in this article, I will show you the secrets of setting up an MPPT solar charge controller effortlessly.
This give you the benefits of clean, renewable energy without the complexity.
Let’s dive into that now.
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How To Set Up An Mppt Solar Charge Controller
The MPPT is a complete electronic device that connects the solar panels and the storage battery. It maximizes the amount of power that is drawn from the solar panels to charge the battery.
Steps to set up an MPPT solar charge controller
Set the Open Circuit Voltage (VOC) – You must first set the charge controller to match the solar panels’ Open Circuit Voltage (VOC).
This will ensure that the correct amount of power is drawn from the panels. Adjust the charging current to the battery: then you must adjust the charging current.
This is the amount of current the controller will allow to be delivered to the battery. This current must be compatible with the capacity of the battery.
Adjust battery limits: Next, you need to adjust battery limits. This includes disconnect voltage, reconnect voltage, and float voltage.
These settings will control when the battery will charge and discharge.
Set the charging mode – The last step is to set the charging mode. This will tell the controller how to charge the battery for best results.
Once you have completed these steps, the charge controller will be ready to be used.
What Is An Mppt Solar Charge Controller?
The letters “MPPT” stands for Maximum Power Point Tracker. It is a set of organized components used to optimize a photovoltaic system’s performance.
Connects to a battery bank, solar panel, and external power source to extend battery life.
The electrical output of the MPPT is also determined by the voltage of the battery bank to which it is attached. A 150W MPPT can handle 150W of power for 12V batteries and 300W for 24V batteries.
For example, a solar panel with a nominal voltage between 12V and 14V will be appropriate for charging a 12V 200ah battery.
How Does The Mppt Solar Charge Controller Work?
MPPT is an abbreviation for Maximum PowerPoint Tracking. The MPPT regulator examines the solar panel’s electrical voltage multiple times each day. Its aim is to determine the maximum output point of the panel’s current supply.
Then, be certain that you constantly utilize full power. In a nutshell, the MPPT charge controller takes the most power possible from the panel. It adds intelligence to an installation.
One point has to be explained at this point. Normally, the panel will obey the load voltage to which it is attached. What happens if the voltage of the application (battery, screen) is 12 volts? The panel will produce more than 12 volts.
Let’s take the example of a panel that is part of our references. Its characteristics are 18 volts, intensity of 7.54 A, and power of 140 watts.
It is at 18 volts that it provides its maximum power (noted pm). The 6-volt difference, if hooked up to a 12-volt battery, just won’t be produced.
The power loss is 6 x 7.54 = 45 watts.
Furthermore, the electricity generated by the panel fluctuates with temperature. It falls as the temperature rises. It performs best when conditions are chilly.
For example, a 120-watt panel can output 130 watts in cold weather. It also generates more when the brightness is set to the highest setting. As a result, your solar panel is never in peak operating condition.
What Are The Benefits Of An Mppt Charge Controller?
MPPT controllers have the latest technology and are currently very popular.
This type of solar charge controller offers users a great combination of the most effective features of a PWM controller with even more functionality, like a more advanced and higher-performing PWM controller.
MPPT solar charge controller is much more efficient than a PWM controller. However, the PWM still has its benefit that fits into your system.
Here is a list of the benefits of this MPPT solar charge controller:
- Battery protection against overcharging and deep discharging.
- Fight against oversizing of the wiring between the panel and the equipment. This lowers costs.
- Increase in energy production the system provides (20 to 30%).
- Extension of battery life.
Can I Use An Mppt Charge Controller Without A Solar Battery?
No, and Yes, the no has to come first because, from my eight years of experience, I have not seen it work.
Maybe in the future, though, some people claim that you can use an MPPT charge controller without a solar battery if the power load is not that big, which is also possible with “risk.”
This is my view because for the MPPT to work, it needs to detect a battery voltage; this voltage value indicates its operating thresholds.
It may even shut down the charge controller, which will not be able to dissipate the solar power in the form of a load.
In theory, an MPPT charge controller should always be full with a battery and, above all, not be connected to a solar panel.
A charge controller cannot hold power backup when the need arises. In this case, it can be a device that maximizes the solar battery charging process.
Even if you use another charge controller without a solar battery, it won’t work at night. The work of a charge controller is to send the power to the inverter directly from the solar panel. The solar panel only detects sunlight energy during the day.
Given that MPPT charge control evolves according to the battery voltage and adapts its load, I do not see what we can do with an MPPT if there is no battery.
What Is The Difference Between Pwm And Mppt?
There is a need to get full knowledge about all this, especially when you install this stuff or in a situation that you need to respond to in this regard.
The charge controller is extremely important in solar photovoltaic systems. It is in charge of managing the voltage of the solar system so that your batteries can be recharged.
At that same time, it protects your batteries from overcharging, inhibits any reverse current from the solar panels, and ensures that the charging of the batteries is stopped.
Two types of solar charge controllers are commonly used: PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) controller and MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking). Let’s see how they are used differently.
Pwm (Pulse Width Modulation) Controller
The PWM regulator’s job is to regulate the voltage flowing from the solar panels, and PWM charge controllers are simpler than MPPT controllers.
A PWM controller controls the current flow from a complete PV panel to a battery for charging by performing multiple quick switching operations many times per second.
PWM controllers work best when a solar array’s nominal voltage matches the battery bank’s. It recovers the necessary voltage from the panels to recharge the batteries, providing an ideal voltage during battery charging.
PWM controllers are usually used in low-power applications. They work well even at high temperatures, making them ideal for areas with high temperatures.
MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking)
The MPPT controllers constantly adjust the voltage and current to adapt them to the characteristics of the battery with a conversion technology to charge.
This process increases the solar system’s efficiency by approximately 30% +/-. Unlike PWM regulators, nevertheless, MPPT regulators do not work well at high temperatures.
An MPPT controller does not need the solar panels to have the same voltage rating as the battery bank. It can convert high-voltage PV power to lower-voltage charging power for a battery bank.
MPPT charge controllers can increase up to 30% more power efficiency than PWM, but they are more expensive and unnecessary for small systems.
Basic Differences: PWM vs. MPPT
A solar power system is complete with a charge controller. There are two most common types of charge controllers used in today’s solar are PWM and the MPPT solar charge controller.
Both alter charging rates depending on the battery’s charge level to allow settings closer to the battery’s maximum capacity and monitor battery temperature to prevent overheating.
The MPPT and PWM technologies are widely used in off-grid solar systems, and both work to charge batteries efficiently.
Choosing a PWM or an MPPT is not purely based on which charging method is “better” but rather on which type of controller works best in your system.
In the PWM solar charge controller, the current is pulled from the panel slightly above the battery voltage, but in the MPPT solar charge controller, the current is drawn from the panel.
Let’s see the difference between solar system charge controllers.
System size difference
PWM solar charge controllers are usually better suited for small solar systems up to 150Wp. MPPT solar charge controllers, comparably, are suitable for larger solar systems with over 150Wp installed solar power.
Solar panel voltage field
With a PWM solar charge controller, the solar panel/array voltage should match the battery bank voltage.
However, the voltage of the solar panel/array may be higher than that of the battery bank.
Battery state of charge (SOC)
PWM works best when the battery is almost fully charged. Meanwhile, MPPT performs best when the battery is in a low state of charge (SOC).
Weather conditions
PWM typically performs better in warm, sunny weather, and MPPT performs well in colder and cloudy weather.
The power efficiency
Power efficiency is a major factor differentiating between PWM and MPPT controllers. PWM can be used in a system where efficiency is less important. MPPT is best suited for higher efficiency with a chance to harvest more than 20% of the energy.
MPPT regulators are more efficient, with typical efficiency on the order of 90-95%. This means they can harness more solar energy than PWM controllers, which typically have less than 80% efficiency.
This difference in efficiency becomes most apparent when your solar panels come to the end of their useful life, but this usually takes a long time.
System extension
The possibility of expanding the system is very small with the PWM solar charge controller. On the other hand, with the help of the MPPT solar charge controller, there are much better possibilities and chances for system expansion.
Interference of the charge controller
When using the PWM solar charge controller, there is a possibility of RF and audio device interference, but the MPPT solar charge controller is immune to various types of RF and audio device interference.
Smart charging stages
MPPT regulators generally offer the three most important charging stages: boost (or bulk) charge, absorption charge, and trickle (or float) charge.
Some more advanced MPPT controllers also offer an equalization charge stage, which helps extend battery life by cleaning the internal sulfate plates.
More basic PWM controllers may only offer two charging stages: bulk and float. Having a regulator with more advanced stages of charge can extend the life of your batteries and improve their overall performance.
Voltage range
The PWM charge controller works to regulate the voltage flowing from the solar panels, and the PWM needs the solar panels to be rated a bit higher than the batteries you want to charge.
For example, if you’re using 12V batteries, the panels should have an operating voltage between 18V and 24V.
In contrast, MPPT regulators can accept much higher input voltages, allowing high-voltage solar panels to be used.
Some MPPT regulators can even accept up to 450V and charge 12V batteries with minimal loss in performance.
Final Thought
You have learned how to set up the mppt solar charge controller. The MPPT regulator allows us to avoid all the technological and climatic constraints we have discussed. When it’s chilly outside, the energy gain from the MPPT regulator is more significant.
Furthermore, it will create higher electric current with low-charged batteries. You may always invest in less expensive setups that use traditional PWM regulators.
This article could also help choosing the right hybrid solar inverter.
