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The difference between MPPT solar controller and PWM solar controller
Solar controllers are mainly used in solar off-grid power generation systems. They can automatically control multiple solar panels to charge batteries, coordinate the work of solar panels, batteries, and loads, monitor the charging status, and display the status of solar panels charging batteries. Current, voltage and battery conditions can effectively prevent battery overcharging, and have anti-reverse connection and anti-short circuit functions.
Solar controllers need to coordinate the work of solar panels, batteries, and loads to ensure the stable operation of the entire solar off-grid power generation system. Currently, there are two main types of solar controllers on the market: MPPT solar controllers and PWM solar controllers.
PWM, pulse width modulation, refers to using the digital output of a microprocessor to control analog circuits. It is a method of digitally encoding analog signal levels. Controlling analog circuits digitally can significantly reduce system costs and power consumption.
The electrical structure of the PWM solar controller is relatively simple. It mainly consists of a power main switch, a capacitor, a driver and a protection circuit. It is actually equivalent to a switch that connects the component and the battery together, and the voltage of the component will be pulled down. to a voltage close to that of the battery pack.
MPPT solar controller
MPPT solar controllers are more complex and more expensive. The price is usually several times or even dozens of times that of PWM solar controllers. MPPT solar controllers can adjust the input voltage so that it can obtain power from the solar panels. Maximum energy. The MPPT controller can detect the power generation voltage of the solar panel in real time and track the highest voltage and current value (VI), so that the system can charge the battery with maximum power output.
Compared with PWM solar controller, MPPT solar controller has maximum power tracking function, which can ensure that the solar panel always outputs at maximum power during charging and will not be affected by temperature. In terms of charging efficiency, it is naturally higher than PWM higher. In addition, PWM solar controllers can only be used with relevant voltages. For example, 12V system panels can only be used with 12V controllers and batteries. They are suitable for some small off-grid systems below 2kw. They have simple structures, convenient user wiring, and relatively cheap prices.
The MPPT solar controller has a larger space to use. Generally, the solar panel voltage can be used between 12V-170V, and the battery voltage is adjustable from 12-96V. It has stronger applicability and is suitable for large-scale remote control units above 2kw. The grid-connected power generation system has high efficiency and flexible component configuration.