How to Choose the Right Solar Controller for Solar Power System

How to choose the right solar controller for a solar power system

The mainstream solar controllers on the market are mainly divided into two categories: off-grid solar charge controller and controllers for solar street lights.

Off-Grid Solar Controller

First of all, determine the electricity consumption of the day according to the power of the load and the electricity consumption time, and calculate the total electricity consumption by adding the reservation for cloudy and rainy days. Determine the total capacity of the battery according to the total electricity consumption, and then reasonably allocate the individual batteries. The capacity, number, and connection method of the solar panel, and then calculate the power of the solar panel according to the power consumption of the load, and select the controller according to the power of the solar panel and the system voltage to determine the size of the charging current.

Features:

1. Internal process
Using imported chips and IC components, SMT automatic placement process, the performance is more stable and reliable, and it can run stably in cold, high temperature, and humid environments2

2. LCD display
Using intuitive digital display settings, more clear, more convenient parameter setting 2

3. Parameter setting button
One-touch adjustment button, you can check the operation status or set all parameters with one click. Select Enter.

4. Wiring port
The use of large-diameter and large-spaced copper terminals enhances the insulation and installation reliability.

5. Communication network port
Standard Modbus based on RS-485 communication bus can be used to maximize the communication needs of different occasions.

6. Back heat sink
The back adopts the design of heat dissipation fins, which increases the contact area with the air and has better heat dissipation, and effectively prolongs the service life of the product.

Controller for solar street light

Main features: The power supply module with constant current output, commonly known as a constant current source, can adjust the output current in different time periods within the rated range, which is what we usually call different power lighting in different time periods, such as pedestrians on the road after twelve o'clock at night. At this time, the output current of the controller can be reduced to reduce the lighting power of the light source to extend the battery life.

Features:

1. Supports lead-acid and lithium-ion battery types
2. With lithium battery self-activation function
3. Lithium battery low-temperature charge and discharge protection function, the temperature protection threshold can be set by yourself
4. Load intelligent power reduction mode with 365-day lighting control technology
5. Maximum output efficiency is 96%
6. All-digital high-precision constant current control, the current control accuracy is better than ±2%
7. With discharge power calculation and real-time power statistics and recording functions
8. The rated output current can be adjusted arbitrarily within the rated power and current range
9. Various load control modes
10. Automatically test the load function, the controller will automatically turn on the load for 10 seconds after starting for 10 seconds
11. Infrared wireless communication design, view or modify controller parameters through handheld devices
12. Comprehensive electronic protection functions

This type of controller is mostly used for street lamps with LED light sources. Its selection is first based on the working voltage range of the lamp head and the voltage range of the battery to determine the choice of boost, level, or buck controllers. For example, in a case, the battery specification is 12V100AH, and the lamp head is a 40-watt LED light source. The specification is that the voltage of a single lamp bead is 3.0~3.5V, the connection method of the lamp bead is 10 strings and 4 parallels, and the working range of the whole lamp head is 30~35V, then we have to use the boost type. Constant current controller, increase the voltage from 12V to 30~35V, and then select whether the controller is a lithium battery controller or a lead-acid battery controller according to the type of battery connected, and finally determine the size of the charging current according to the power of the solar panel, Integrate the above three elements and finally choose a controller suitable for your own scheme.