| Solar charge controllers are used in battery based photovoltaic / solar electric systems. Charge controllers protect the batteries from overcharge and/or excessive discharge. The minimum function of the charge controller is to disconnect the solar electric array when the battery is fully discharged and to keep the battery fully charged without damage.
The basic criteria for selecting a charge controller includes the operating voltage and the solar array current. Charge controllers are critical components in stand-alone PV systems because a controller failure can damage the batteries. The controller must be sized to handle the maximum current produced by the PV array.
There are two types of charge controllers: Series and Shunt. Series charge controllers stop the flow of current by opening the circuit between the battery and the PV array. Shunt charge controllers divert the PV array / solar array current from the battery. Both types use solid state battery voltage measurement devices and shunt controllers are 100% solid state.
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Solar Modules
Blue Sky
