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| charge controller |
There's a reason why the solar charge controller is regarded as the brain box of a solar PV system, not just because of its immense contribution to the overall workings of a solar PV system but certainly, due to the very critical role it plays in this setup, have you ever wondered how a single solar charge controller can effectively harvest sufficient energy from the sun all day to charge a good number of batteries and power the connected load on renewable mode? I bet it's still a mirage for an average layman but then again it all boils down to proper charge controller sizing for solar PV systems.
The charge controller plays a very significant role in the overall workings of a solar PV system, from its harvesting of enough energy from the sun through the solar panels to its continual optimal maintenance of the battery charging process its only safe to say that this wonderful component remains the key cog to an efficient and fully functional solar and inverter system.
Without using too many words in this article we will talk more about solar charge controller sizing, how it's achieved, and how it affects the overall performance of a solar PV system.
Let's Take a quick look!
CHARGE CONTROLLER SIZING
Charge controller sizing in solar and inverter terminology simply refers to the act of properly selecting and fitting the right charge controller for a solar PV system to function adequately, in achieving this there are several parameters to consider which include The PV size and capacity, battery bank and capacity, Intended PV system mode of operation, Future Expandability And the overall result that needs to be achieved.
We'll take a look at these parameters one by one for a deeper understanding of the concept as a whole.
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PV SIZE AND CAPACITY
The actual size and capacity of the PV system are very important factors to consider when sizing a charge controller for a solar and inverter project, using the right controller capacity will not only ensure that enough power is efficiently harvested from the PV system but also that the system is harnessed to its maximum capacity in this regards the PV power and wattage is seriously taken into account so as to fit a controller that efficiently handles these factors.
BATTERY BANK AND CAPACITY
Sizing your solar charge controller according to the system battery bank and capacity is something that is not to be taken for granted, this is where some ill-equipped personnel get it wrong, the charge controller voltage must be able to match that of the battery bank for optimal charging efficiency aside that it should also be able to generate a maximum current that should be able to sustain adequate battery charge and maintain float. This is very key to maintaining battery health and longevity. Be it a 12v /24v 48v or 96v bank. Sizing a charge controller that adequately meets these needs is the first step to setting up a healthy Solar and inverter PV system.
INTENDED PV MODE OF OPERATION
Planning they say is critical in every form of engineering and this is no exception when it comes to solar and inverter systems, sizing your charge controller with the system mode of operation in mind is very vital to its overall mode of operation, whether the system is designed just for backup power or as a primary source of electricity it is crucial to match it with the right charge controller that will deliver the right result.
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| solar charge controller |
DESIRED RESULT
Sizing a PV system with the right charge controller depending on the desired result is practically the sole determinant factor of a successful solar and inverter PV system. it is in this aspect that I see many trained personnel make a lot of errors, a solar PV system could either be designed as a backup system (alternative topology) or a main electricity source ( renewable topology) all these modes of designs require different controller sizing, in addition to this the time of usage either day or night should also be a determinant to the sizing configuration of the charge controller to be deployed.
FUTURE EXPANDABILITY
One additional reason for proper charge controller sizing is to enhance future system expandability, it is best to size a PV system solar charge controller in such a way that it can accommodate future system expansions, that is having more PV added to the existing ones to increase system output in general.
HOW TO SIZE A SOLAR CHARGE CONTROLLER
Taking into account all that has been discussed we now look at the vital question of how to size a charge controller, properly sizing a charge controller for a solar PV system project isn't rocket science at all to do this all that is required is understanding the formula to arrive at the desired result the two key parameters of significant importance here are the voltage and current but then again there's a formula to follow through on this, to effectively calculate and size of a charge controller for PV system the formula below should do the trick :
ChargeControllerSize(inamps)=TotalSolarPanelWattage÷BatteryBankVoltage × 1.25
Assuming you have a PV array with a combined total of 1500watts as power and a 24 volts battery bank to complement and you are looking at sizing a charge controller suitable for this system the formula would be as follows
Charge controller sizing = Solar panel wattage (1500) / Battery bank (24v) × 1.25 = 63.75
From the calculations below the solar charge controller capacity needed to be either 80 or 100 amps for better results.
Taking into account that 1.25 is our safety margin.
SUM UP!
To wrap things up sizing a charge controller for a solar PV system isn't rocket science but rather a simple but vital step that needs to be taken when designing a solar PV system in my years of practice I have seen several professionals get it all wrong at this stage and as such running the whole set up before concussion thereby delivering poor quality to the end user, properly sizing a PV system solar charge controller will not only enhance system overall productivity but also deliver Adequate return on investment
For insight on solar system designs, installation, and maintenance do well to follow this blog for more.
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