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Solar Power Systems Component #2
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Charge Controller
The next step in building a Solar Power System
- after the Solar Panel, after the Array DC Disconnect, the “Charge Controller”.
The Charge Controller blocks reverse current and prevents battery overcharge. Some controllers also prevents the battery from over discharging, protects from electrical overload and displays battery status and the flow of power. The Charge controller’s primary function is to protect your battery bank from overcharging. It does this by monitoring the batteries. when the batteries is fully charged, the controller interrupts the flow of electricity from the solar panels.
Batteries are expensive and particular about how they are treated. To get the maximum life span out of your batteries you don’t want to overcharge or undercharge them. Most charge controllers have incorporated a maximum power point tracker (MPPT), which optimizes the solar array’s output, and increases the energy that it produces. Some battery based charge controllers include a low-voltage disconnect that prevents over discharge. That can permanently damage the batteries.