Solar Charge Controllers
Solar charge controllers connect your solar panels to your battery or battery bank. Charge controllers monitor battery state of charge and modify the energy produced by the solar panels to charge batteries as quickly and as safely as possible.
The most basic units have a single LED power indictor, whereas more advanced units have an LCD display giving a range of system information. Mid range and budget charge controllers use 'pulse wave modulation' (PWM) technology, whereas high end units often use 'maximum power point tracking' (MPPT) to optimise power generation. Whilst many people believe MPPT to be the superior technology, we only recommend MPPT controllers when necessary, i.e. when using panels with a voltage much higher than the charging voltage of the battery(ies).
Please ensure that the total short circuit current rating of your solar panel(s) does not exceed the maximum current rating of your controller. When in doubt, also over-estimate current requirements. If you are using our monocrystalline panels, the following quick reference table should help you find the right size controller:
|
Controller Size (amps)
|
"Safe" maximum solar input (Wp)
|
|
|
12V
|
24V
|
|
|
6
|
80
|
160
|
|
8
|
110
|
220
|
|
10
|
140
|
280
|
|
15
|
200
|
400
|
|
20
|
270
|
540
|
|
30
|
400
|
800
|
|
45
|
600
|
1200
|
|
60
|
800
|
1600
|
Contact us at Cleversolar for help and advice or a look at our Advice & FAQs to find out more about our solar charge controllers.
