How to Size a Solar Charge Controllers

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How to Size a Solar Charge Controllers
Choosing a well made charge controller is integral to the long life and efficiency of your entire solar power system. By optimizing the power coming in from your solar panels, you will get that much closer to offsetting your use of traditional on grid power sources and by protecting your battery supply you protect yourself from any unwanted and unneeded replacement costs. Your solar charge controller is an item well worth investing in and researching as your customize your solar panel electric system. Make sure you choose an option that is scalable and appropriate for your power load and make sure that you have sufficient battery storage space for the solar panels you have chosen to install. We will advise you on everything from optimizing your current power load to how best to install your solar panels and on choosing the right solar charge controller!

Solar charge controllers are rated and sized by the solar panel array current and system voltage. Most common are 12, 24, and 48-volt controllers. Amperage ratings normally run from 1 amp to 60 amps, voltages from 6-60 volts.

For example, if one module in your 12-volt system produces 7.45 amps and two modules are utilized, your system will produce 14.9 amps of current at 12 volts. Because of light reflection and the edge of cloud effect, sporadically increased current levels are not uncommon. For this reason we increase the controller amperage by a minimum of 25% bringing our minimum controller amperage to 18.6. Looking through the products we find a 20-amp controller, as close a match as possible. There is no problem going with a 30-amp or larger controller, other than the additional cost. If you think the system may increase in size, additional amperage capacity at this time should be considered.