| Energy prices are rising. Many people are fighting | | | | charge controller. The controller has one function. |
| back by using solar power systems for their | | | | It is to prevent your solar panels from |
| homes. If you are thinking of doing the same, you | | | | overcharging the batteries. Batteries for solar |
| may need to know about charge controllers. | | | | panel systems are expensive, so the importance |
| Solar panel systems are popular for homes. It is | | | | of the controller cannot be understated. |
| key, however, to understand systems can be | | | | Traditionally, controllers have been pretty simple |
| defined in two ways, those with batteries and | | | | systems. At their outset, they literally just |
| those without. If you go without batteries, you | | | | created a mechanical disconnect between panels |
| are feeding energy into the local utility grid and | | | | and batteries. These days, they are much more |
| don't need to read the rest of this article. If you | | | | sophisticated. They can analyze systems and |
| are using batteries with or without the utility grid, | | | | even kick out data logs if you are so inclined to |
| read on... | | | | read them. |
| A solar panel system is somewhat wild. By wild, I | | | | The key to buying a charge controller is voltage. |
| mean that it produces energy so long as it is | | | | You need to select a system that matches the |
| sunny. This is, after all, the value of a solar | | | | voltage of your batteries. Fortunately, most |
| system. Free energy every day for as long as | | | | controllers now can be adapted to different |
| the system functions. Most systems function for | | | | voltages, but make sure before you buy. |
| 20 to 30 years. | | | | Most people are going on grid these days with |
| There is one draw back to this free energy. It | | | | solar systems. The financial incentives for being on |
| just comes and comes. Why is this a problem? | | | | grid are just to great with tax credits, rebates |
| Well, your batteries can only handle so much. If | | | | and such. If you go off grid, however, or use |
| you just keep pounding energy into the batteries, | | | | batteries with your on grid system, a charge |
| their useful life will be shortened or they may just | | | | controller should be used. It will save you a lot of |
| fail outright. | | | | money over time in battery replacement costs. |
| To save your batteries, you need to have a | | | | |