A charge controller, or charge regulator is similar to the voltage regulator in your car. It regulates the voltage and current coming from the solar panels going to the battery. Most "12 volt" panels put out about 16 to 20 Volts, so if there is no regulation the batteries will be damaged from overcharging. Most batteries need around 14 to 14.5 volts to get fully charged.
The Graphical representation of relationship between Battery voltage and time
Bulk Charge
First stage of charging
Alow maximum flow of current by charge controller
The process of charging the will continue up to voltage level reach up to "Bulk voltage set point"
After "Bulk voltage set point". the current flow become less.
Bulk voltage set point set by the battery manufacturer
Absorption Charging
Keep battery volatge constant
Reduce the current sent to battery
Float Charge
minimum Battery voltage
Features of Charge Controller
Regulating the Charge
Load control (were system directly connected to DC loads)
Make sure that the battery will not be excessively drained - (will not alow the batery bank to drawin after a certain limit)
DC lighting Loads - with load control facility
Auxiliary load control - may be emergency disply in the bettery system, fan for the bettery bank
Auxiliary fan needed to - bettery may produce hydrogen gas
Warning light/Alarm - for warning purpose
Status Meter - Check the battery voltage
Types of Charge Controllers
Mpp = V x I (refer IV Curve)
Eg. For 12V Solkr Panel Mpp Voltage is 17Volt (Solar panels are designed to produce higher voltage than battery But when temperature rises voltage decreases.
MPPT controller will take/tap power from solar panel (Regardless of battery voltage)
PV Panel (17Volt produces) ---> Charge controller (13-15Volt)----> Battery (12V)
MPPT will regulate the voltage from 17 Volt to 13Volt and the current will increases Power remains the same
Eg:
PV Panels (Array in series) (150Volt produces) ---> Charge controller (13-15Volt)----> Battery (12V)
The Cost of MPPT is still remains High, Hence only used for larges arrays
PWM Technology (Pulse width Modulation)
Will regulate the voltage for the need of the battery
PV Module ---->(17Volt)----> PWM ---->(14Volt)----> Battery
Disadvantage -
The Current will be reduces hence the system will not be much Efficient
In Absorption charging cycle, This charge in to it by pulsing the charge (turning the power On and Off)
Used for kW Level projects from 0.5kW
Used in small wind and Hydro projects
The Graphical representation of relationship between Battery voltage and time
Bulk Charge
First stage of charging
Alow maximum flow of current by charge controller
The process of charging the will continue up to voltage level reach up to "Bulk voltage set point"
After "Bulk voltage set point". the current flow become less.
Bulk voltage set point set by the battery manufacturer
Absorption Charging
Keep battery volatge constant
Reduce the current sent to battery
Float Charge
minimum Battery voltage
Features of Charge Controller
Regulating the Charge
Load control (were system directly connected to DC loads)
Make sure that the battery will not be excessively drained - (will not alow the batery bank to drawin after a certain limit)
DC lighting Loads - with load control facility
Auxiliary load control - may be emergency disply in the bettery system, fan for the bettery bank
Auxiliary fan needed to - bettery may produce hydrogen gas
Warning light/Alarm - for warning purpose
Status Meter - Check the battery voltage
Types of Charge Controllers
- MPPT - Maximum Power Point Tracking Technology
- PWM Technology (Pulse width Modulation)
Mpp = V x I (refer IV Curve)
Eg. For 12V Solkr Panel Mpp Voltage is 17Volt (Solar panels are designed to produce higher voltage than battery But when temperature rises voltage decreases.
MPPT controller will take/tap power from solar panel (Regardless of battery voltage)
PV Panel (17Volt produces) ---> Charge controller (13-15Volt)----> Battery (12V)
MPPT will regulate the voltage from 17 Volt to 13Volt and the current will increases Power remains the same
Eg:
PV Panels (Array in series) (150Volt produces) ---> Charge controller (13-15Volt)----> Battery (12V)
The Cost of MPPT is still remains High, Hence only used for larges arrays
PWM Technology (Pulse width Modulation)
Will regulate the voltage for the need of the battery
PV Module ---->(17Volt)----> PWM ---->(14Volt)----> Battery
Disadvantage -
The Current will be reduces hence the system will not be much Efficient
In Absorption charging cycle, This charge in to it by pulsing the charge (turning the power On and Off)
Used for kW Level projects from 0.5kW
Used in small wind and Hydro projects
