MPPT Solar Charge Controller in Arizona, California, and New Mexico
Putting together a solar panel system can be a funny thing in Arizona, California, and New Mexico. While we have 12-volt batteries, you would think that the solar panels that are made would also be in 12-volt increments. Of course, this isn't the case, so instead of losing power in the form of heat, having an will help to even out these fluctuations. At Solar Biz we have been helping people build their off-grid solar power setups for 50 years, and we can provide answers to your questions about MPPT solar charge controllers. Call us today to learn more.
What an MPPT Solar Charge Controller Does
Charge controllers in general are designed to help charge your battery bank so that it remains charged while not overcharging them. They are also meant to help keep your batteries from discharging at night by preventing power from going the opposite direction back to the solar panels. And while charging batteries should be fairly straightforward, an MPPT solar charge controller typically does a much better job of it than others.
MPPT stands for Maximum Power Point Tracking. An MPPT solar charge controller will be continuously monitoring the power coming into the battery bank as well as the batteries themselves to determine the best conversion of the energy from the solar panels into the batteries.
Here is where the optimization or maximum power point tracking comes in. Assume your battery is low, at 12 volts and your solar array is generating 130 watts of power but at 7.4 amps. An MPPT takes that 17.6 volts at 7.4 amps and converts it down so that what the battery gets is now 10.8 amps at 12 volts. Now you still have almost 130 watts, and everyone is happy. While this is a simplified version of what happens, it illustrates how an MPPT solar charge controller can convert the DC power from the solar panels into the right DC power that your batteries will utilize.
The Importance of MPPT Solar Charge Controllers
You might think that solar panels are pretty consistent with their power output, but that isn't true. If it is a cloudy day, the amount of energy generated will be less. The same is true if your solar panels are dirty, or if they experience shade such as from a nearby tree. Because of this fluctuation in supplied energy, it is important that this get evened out for your batteries. The MPPT solar charge controller monitors this continuously and adjusts the conversion for maximum efficiency.
Whether you are just starting out in your solar power journey in Arizona, California, or New Mexico, or you are looking to upgrade the equipment you already have, getting an MPPT solar charge controller will be a wise investment in your system. Contact Solar Biz today to learn more about them and get help with your full system.
