Everything You Need to Know About Solar Regulator

What Is A Solar Regulator?

A solar regulator controls the energy that moves from the solar screens to the battery. Solar panels turn light into electricity, then store it in a battery. The solar panels charge the battery. A solar regulator controls the flow of electricity so that there aren't any electrical spikes that could hurt the battery or shorten its life.

You need a solar charge regulator if your PV solar setup feeds a battery bank. You don't need a solar charge regulator if your setup is connected to the grid.

Charge controllers come in two main types: PWM and MPPT. Neither is strictly "better" than the other; the pros and cons of each depend on the climate, array size, and system parts.

Even though MPPT regulators usually cost more than PWM regulators, the difference is minimal when you look at how much it costs to put solar panels as a whole. You should never pick a monitor based on how much it costs. Instead, seeing how well it does its job would be best.

Why Do You Need A Solar Regulator? 

Off-grid setups are the only ones that need the solar regulator. Most home solar panels are hooked to the power grid, so you don't need a charged charger. If your solar panel system doesn't have batteries, you can't handle the charging process. It controls how much power goes to the batteries if you use a solar setup. The extra energy is sent to the grid once the battery is fully charged.

How a solar power system with battery storage is set up changes based on the type of generator used. One option is a hybrid inverter, which links to solar panels and batteries. Another is to have a solar and battery inverter that works separately. You don't need a different device because the inverter has a built-in charge controller.

Features of A Solar Regulator 

Solar regulators play a vital role in the functioning of off-grid solar systems. However, comprehending their precise functioning can provide a challenge. Here are some essential characteristics of a solar charge controller:

How Does A Solar Regulator Work? 

A solar regulator controls the power from the solar panels to the batteries. Most solar panels made for 12V battery systems can handle 17V. It might not make sense, but there's a good reason.

The total power rate of solar panels is rarely reached because of clouds, dirt on the panels, and other environmental factors. That is why if they were only rated at 12V, they would always be putting out less power, which a 12V battery can't handle.

It takes about 12.7V for a 12V battery to rest and about 13.6V to 14.4V to charge. In this case, a solar screen must produce at least this much electricity.

The energy from the solar panel is around 16 to 20V. A solar charge regulator lowers the voltage to what the battery needs. This amount can be anywhere from 10.5V to 14.6V, based on how charged the battery is, the temperature, and the charging mode of the regulator.

Charge controls protect batteries from damage in the end. Power spikes, fluctuations in the electricity output, and other outside causes can overcharge and harm a solar battery.

Types of Solar Regulators 

In terms of what they do, solar charge regulators fall into two main groups: MPPT regulators and pulse-width modulation (PWM) regulators.

Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM)

PWM solar charge controllers are easier to use and less expensive, but they don't work as well. PWM regulators slowly reduce the power they send out as the battery charges. The regulator can keep the battery full by giving it small amounts of energy without overcharging it once fully charged.

It is made so PWM charge controllers can work with solar panels with the same voltage as the battery. For example, if you want to charge a 12V battery, you will need photovoltaic panels to put out 12V.

According to the report, the price of a PWM solar charge regulator will depend on the total wattage and amperage. The price range is $15 to $125. Less than 80% of the time, PWM controllers work well.

Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)

Innovative DC-to-DC converters are another name for MPPT solar charge controllers. They are more potent than PWM regulators. A battery system can work with higher-power solar panels when an MPPT charge regulator is used.

An MPPT charge regulator ensures that your solar panels' voltage and current are correct to produce the most power.

At the same time, the regulator makes sure that the battery system always has the right charging power. An MPPT solar regulator costs between $28 and $324. More than 95% of the time, the best MPPT controllers work well.

For example, a small solar setup gives off 360 watts of power at 36 volts and ten amps. If you use a PWM charge regulator, you can't charge a 12V battery with this power rate. On the other hand, an MPPT charge regulator can drop the voltage to 12V while increasing the current to 40 amps. This lets the battery be charged.

What Size Solar Regulator Do You Need? 

Solar charge regulators come in different sizes to fit panels with other currents and voltages. You could lose power and save money if you pick the right one.

First, look at the charge regulator's voltage level. Most PWM regulators can handle 12V or 24V systems, but MPPT regulators can hold 12, 24, 36, or 48V systems. 

A lot of charge regulators have a grade in "amps" Some smaller PWM controllers can handle 10, 20, or 30 amps. MPPT regulators usually have higher amp ratings (80 or 100 amps is typical), so they can handle more extensive PV arrays.

We need a quick math formula: Amps = Watts / Volts to determine how many potential amps a solar setup can produce.

Let's say we have an 800-watt array running at 12 volts. We can plug these numbers into our equation: Amps = 800 watts / 12 volts = 66.67 amps

Up to 66.67 amps could be made by the setup. A charge limiter with a rating below this can get too full and stop working. A charge regulator with a rating of 70 amps would work in this case.

Factors Affect Sizing A Solar Regulator  

Many factors affect the size of a solar system's solar regulator. We should consider the following aspects to make the most of solar energy.

Factor 1: Solar Array Capacity

This is often given in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW) and is calculated by multiplying the array's current and voltage. You'll need to know how much power your solar array can produce to choose the right size solar charge charger.

For instance, if your solar panel can send up to 20 Amps and 100 Volts to your charge regulator, you will need a charge regulator that says on its datasheet or operation instructions that it can handle these currents and voltages. You will also have to account for temperature changes.

Factor 2: Solar Battery Voltage

Another critical factor is the power of your battery bank. Most off-grid devices use 12-volt, 24-volt, or 48-volt battery banks. The voltage of your battery bank must work with your charge limiter. Ensure the voltage numbers match because voltages that don't work with your regulator can stop it from working.

Factor 3: Daily Power Consumption of Your Loads

This will help you determine how much power your solar panels need to make and how fast your batteries need to be charged. Think about all the electrical loads (like lights, fans, radios, monitoring tools, and other things you want to use in your off-grid system) and how much power they will need. This data will help you determine how extensive your solar panel collection and, eventually, your charge regulator should be.

Factor 4: Temperature Considerations

The weather where you live can affect how well your solar panels work and how well the charge regulator works. Many charge controllers are rated based on a specific temperature, usually around 25°C (77°F). If you live where the temperatures are very high or very low, ensure your charge regulator has temperature compensation features.

These can change the charging settings to get the best performance from your battery when the temperatures change. It would help if you determined your solar array's voltage output at the lowest temperature logged where your system is located.

This is because the voltage output of a solar array goes up when the temperature drops. This voltage should never exceed your regulator's open circuit voltage (Voc). If it is, you could damage the regulator and put it at risk of catching fire.

Factor 5: Efficiency of the Charge regulator

Another thing to think about is how well the charge control works. Even though charge controllers work well, they lose some power as heat while they charge. Because of this, you may need to make your charge control bigger than it needs to be.

For example, suppose your solar panel setup makes 2kW. In that case, choose a 2.5kW charge regulator to ensure your batteries get enough power even when there are inefficiencies, clouds, and low sun angles.

Factor 6: Future Expansion

Think about how you want to grow your off-grid setup in the future. If you add more solar panels or make your battery bank bigger, you should pick a charge regulator with some room for expansion. This will keep you from having to replace the regulator when you want to add it to your system, which would be a headache and cost money.

Jackery Portable Power Stations Explained

Jackery Portable Power Stations are made for people who like being outside and care about the environment and their comfort. They give your appliances a safe way to get power while on the go or even for home backup.

Jackery ensures that their Portable Power Stations use lithium-ion and LiFePO4 batteries, MPPT solar regulators, and pure sine wave inverter for a steady power source. Let's look closer at Explorer 2000 Plus and 1000 Pro.

Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus

The Explorer 2000 Plus portable power station by Jackery significantly enhances the available choices for portable power. With its substantial capacity and impressive power output, this device can provide electricity to regular caravans for an extended time, making it ideal for outdoor excursions or as a home backup power supply. Adding battery cells to the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus significantly boosts its capacity from 2 kWh to 12 kWh, leading to a revolutionary change in household backup power provision.

The Explorer 2000 Plus boasts a maximum power output of 3000W, 30% greater than other 2 kWh models. The bulk of critical household appliances are powered gadgets. Although the Explorer 2000 Plus is commonly used, it can be ultimately charged within 6 hours by utilising 6 SolarSaga 100W solar panels. The power source achieves self-sufficiency by harnessing solar energy rather than relying on the power grid for charging.

The supplementary battery pack can be recharged using solar panels, offering increased versatility while enhancing charging efficiency and reducing time consumption. Jackery's integrated battery management system (BMS) allows short-circuit protection, voltage regulation, temperature regulation, and other advanced safety functions.

Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro

The Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro power station is an advanced power station designed to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts and those requiring a reliable emergency backup power supply.

With a generous battery capacity 1002Wh, this portable power station is equipped to handle the charging demands of nearly 93% of household appliances, from refrigerators and ovens to space heaters. It's an ideal companion for RV trips, camping, and power outages, providing an immense solar power source.

This model features a 1000W output, capable of powering multiple devices simultaneously, making it fully compatible with various electronic needs. The Explorer 1000 Pro is built with an industry-leading Battery Management System (BMS). It employs pure sine wave technology to ensure safe and stable power delivery to sensitive electronics, mimicking the quality of household electricity.

94V-0 fire-rated material further enhances safety and durability, and its design includes a foldable handle for easy transportation, all while weighing just 25.4 lbs. This makes the Explorer 1000 Pro powerful, portable, and easy to carry on all your adventures.

How to Choose The Best Solar Regulator?

You should carefully review a charge regulator's technical specs before buying it. If your solar panels, batteries, and charge charger don't work with each other, your system won't work, and you could even damage some parts.

Voltage Compatibility: The solar panels' output voltage and the battery's input voltage should work in your charge regulator. This voltage is the same when you use a PWM regulator. When you use an MPPT regulator, the voltage from the solar panel may be higher.

Maximum Current Rating: Just like in any electrical system, the parts must work together with the current. Your charge regulator shouldn't let the rated input current of your battery go over, and it should be able to handle as much current from the solar array as possible. If your battery system can only handle 30 amps of power at most, you shouldn't use a 40-amp solar regulator.

Diversion Load Control: A diversion load is often built into charge regulators for green energy systems like solar panels and wind turbines. This load dumps extra energy into the ground once the battery is fully charged.

Display and Monitoring Capabilities: Many charge regulators have an LCD screen for seeing operating parameters or a Bluetooth module that lets you watch them from your phone. If possible, you should look for a charge limiter to show you how it works.

Temperature Compensation: Your battery will last much less long if it gets too hot, but the best charge regulators have a temperature compensation option. A temperature sensor monitors the battery; if it gets too hot, the charge voltage is lowered.

Efficiency: One crucial thing to consider is how well your charge limiter works, which determines how much solar energy is turned into a battery charge. MPPT charge regulators cost more than other charge regulators but can charge more efficiently (over 95%). Most of the time, PWM charge controllers are less than 80% efficient, but they are cheaper.

Cost: Separate solar charge controllers are relatively inexpensive. A good MPPT governor might only cost a few hundred dollars, which makes it one of the least expensive parts of a solar system that doesn't connect to the power grid. Conversely, off-grid systems usually cost a lot more than grid-connected systems - sometimes by tens of thousands of dollars more.

Solar Regulator FAQs

The following are the frequently asked questions about the solar regulator in Australia.

1. What is a solar regulator?

A solar charge regulator, sometimes called a regulator, works like a standard battery charger. It controls the power flow from the solar panel to the battery bank so that the batteries don't get too charged. 

2. Do you need a regulator for solar panels?

A solar charge regulator controls the flow of electricity so that there aren't any electrical spikes that could hurt the battery or shorten its life. You need a solar charge regulator if your PV solar setup feeds a battery bank. You don't need a solar charge regulator if your setup is connected to the grid.

3. What size solar regulator do I need?

Divide the watts by 14.4 for 12-volt systems, 28.8 for 24-volt systems, or 58.8 for 48-volt battery banks. This is what will get you the most amps from the regulator. Size the regulator so that it gives off about two-thirds of its total output. This way, you won't waste output in heat.

4. Do I always need a solar regulator?

A solar charge controller is unnecessary if your solar energy system is connected to a municipal power grid. This is because the city system will store any surplus energy for you, reducing the requirement for a charge controller. However, in the case of off-grid systems, including modest ones, installing a solar charge controller is essential to ensure the longevity of both the solar panels and the connected battery. 

Final Thoughts

The most important part of your solar setup is the solar regulator. It connects your PV grid to your battery station. To avoid problems in the future, make sure you pick a suitable controller. Suppose you want to save time when choosing the proper solar regulator. In that case, we suggest you own a Jackery Portable Power Station with a superior MPPT solar regulator inside to ensure a steady and consistent power supply for your appliances off-grid or outdoors.