MPPT charge controller sizing and selection - Revision history

Alex: Text replacement - "[[Series and parallel" to "[[Series and parallel connections"

2021-03-02T05:01:53Z

Text replacement - "[[Series and parallel" to "[[Series and parallel connections"

Alex: /* Step 8: Determine minimum number of PV modules in series */

2021-01-19T20:04:12Z

Step 8: Determine minimum number of PV modules in series

Alex at 19:59, 19 January 2021

2021-01-19T19:59:00Z

Alex at 19:58, 19 January 2021

2021-01-19T19:58:01Z

Alex: /* Step 5: Select a charge controller */

2021-01-19T19:25:29Z

Step 5: Select a charge controller

Alex: /* Step 4: Determine the minimum PV source current */

2021-01-19T18:41:02Z

Step 4: Determine the minimum PV source current

Alex at 18:37, 19 January 2021

2021-01-19T18:37:58Z

Alex: Text replacement - "System voltage" to "DC system voltage"

2021-01-19T15:23:51Z

Text replacement - "System voltage" to "DC system voltage"

Alex: Text replacement - "system voltage" to "DC system voltage"

2021-01-19T15:19:56Z

Text replacement - "system voltage" to "DC system voltage"

Alex: Text replacement - "system voltage parameter" to "DC system voltage"

2021-01-19T15:19:13Z

Text replacement - "system voltage parameter" to "DC system voltage"

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 [[Category:PV source and charge controller sizing and selection]]
-A [[Charge controller#Charge controller types|MPPT charge controller]] is rated to operate at a particular [[DC system voltage]], maximum current and maximum voltage. MPPT charge controllers can charge the battery bank with any [[Series and parallel|series and parallel]] configuration of modules that doesn't exceed the maximum voltage and maximum current or drop below the required charging voltage of the [[Energy storage|energy storage system]]. Exceeding the voltage rating of an MPPT due to cold temperatures can damage it. Many charge controllers allow the current rating to be exceeded to a certain point without damage, just lost energy - it depends on the charge controller. There are several important calculations that must be performed to properly size an MPPT charge controller:
+A [[Charge controller#Charge controller types|MPPT charge controller]] is rated to operate at a particular [[DC system voltage]], maximum current and maximum voltage. MPPT charge controllers can charge the battery bank with any [[Series and parallel connections|series and parallel]] configuration of modules that doesn't exceed the maximum voltage and maximum current or drop below the required charging voltage of the [[Energy storage|energy storage system]]. Exceeding the voltage rating of an MPPT due to cold temperatures can damage it. Many charge controllers allow the current rating to be exceeded to a certain point without damage, just lost energy - it depends on the charge controller. There are several important calculations that must be performed to properly size an MPPT charge controller:
 *Should be sized to work with a series and parallel PV source circuit configuration of the PV source that will not damage the charge controller due to high voltages resulting from [[Weather and solar resource evaluation|low temperatures]] at the project location.
 *Should be sized to work with a series and parallel PV source circuit configuration of  that will still be able to properly charge the [[:Category:Energy storage|energy storage system]] under [[Weather and solar resource evaluation|high temperatures]] and as PV modules age at the project location.

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 ! style="text-align:left;"| = Maximum charging voltage parameter (Step 7) ÷ Vmp at maximum temperature
 |}
-::This value must be rounded up to the next whole number (there are no partial modules).
+This value must be rounded up to the next whole number (there are no partial modules).
 ====Step 9: Determine the PV source configuration====

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 If the number of PV modules does not meet the recommendations outlined above, then the charge controller and PV module configuration should be reevaluated. It is recommended that the PV source should be increased in size.
-====Step 13: Verify PV source and charge controller size====
+====Step 12: Verify PV source and charge controller size====
 MPPT charge controllers have a maximum PV source power rating in watts that limits the size of the PV source. Verify that the maximum PV source power rating is greater than the final PV source power rating. If it is not, the charge controller size needs to be increased.
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 |}
-====Step 4: Final configuration====
+====Step 13: Final configuration====
 The configuration of the PV source and MPPT charge controller must meet all of the considerations in the previous steps. It often necessary to perform this process various times to find the optimal design.

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 If the number of PV modules does not meet the recommendations outlined above, then the charge controller and PV module configuration should be reevaluated. It is recommended that the PV source should be increased in size.
-====Step 12: Determine final PV source power rating====
+====Step 13: Verify PV source and charge controller size====
 The configuration of the PV source and MPPT charge controller must meet all of the considerations in the previous steps. It often necessary to perform this process various times to find the optimal design.
 {| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
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 ! style="text-align:left;"| = PV module power rating (Step 1) × Final number of PV modules in series × Final number of PV source circuits
 |}
 {| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
-! style="width: 20%"|PV source and charge controller compatability
+! style="width: 20%"|Final charge controller current rating
-! style="text-align:left;"| = Final PV source power rating must be ''less than'' the maximum PV source power rating of the charge controller
+! style="text-align:left;"| =
 |}
 ==Notes/references==
 <references/>

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 ====Step 5: Select a charge controller====
 The final chosen charge controller should:
-#Function at the [[DC system voltage]].
+#Function at the [[DC system voltage]]. If a very high current rating is required for the charge controller, increasing the [[DC system voltage]] can yield a better system design.
 #Have a current rating that is larger than the minimum PV source current rating (Step 4) or multiple charge controllers will have to be used. A single charge controller is the simplest and most cost-effective option. Common MPPT charge controller current ratings: 10 A, 15 A, 20 A, 25 A, 30 A, 35 A, 40 A, 45 A, 50 A, 55 A, 60 A, 65 A, 70 A, 75 A, 80 A, 85 A, 90 A, 95 A, 100 A

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 ====Step 4: Determine the minimum PV source current====
-An MPPT charge controller is capable of of accepting varying voltages from the array and converting them into current at the proper charging voltage for the [[Energy storage|energy storage system]]. The maximum current of the PV source can be calculated by dividing the power rating of the array by the [[DC system voltage]]. If the charge controller manufacturer explicitly permits it, the PV source may be oversized somewhat (typically 110-125%). Larger systems often require multiple charge controllers operating in parallel.
+An MPPT charge controller is capable of of accepting varying voltages from the array and converting them into current at the proper charging voltage for the [[Energy storage|energy storage system]]. The maximum current of the PV source can be calculated by dividing the power rating of the [[PV module|PV source]] by the [[DC system voltage]]. If the charge controller manufacturer explicitly permits it, the PV source may be oversized somewhat (typically 110-125%). Larger systems often require multiple charge controllers operating in parallel.
 {| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
 ! style="width: 20%"|Minimum PV source current

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 {| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
 ! style="width: 20%"|Minimum PV source current
-! style="text-align:left;"| = Minimum PV source power rating (Step 3) ÷ [[System voltage parameter|System voltage]]
+! style="text-align:left;"| = Minimum PV source power rating (Step 3) ÷ [[DC system voltage]]
 |}

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 ====Step 7: Determine maximum charging voltage parameter====
-The minimum number of PV modules in series must be calculated based upon the maximum required charging voltage for the [[Energy storage|energy storage system]] or the minimum charging voltage provided by the MPPT charge controller manufacturer in the specifications sheet. The maximum system charging voltage parameter is the value for the maximum voltage at which the [[Energy storage|energy storage system]] will be charged. This value depends upon the [[System voltage parameter|system voltage parameter]] and the energy storage system type. The specifications sheet or user manual for the battery that is used in the system should be consulted.
+The minimum number of PV modules in series must be calculated based upon the maximum required charging voltage for the [[Energy storage|energy storage system]] or the minimum charging voltage provided by the MPPT charge controller manufacturer in the specifications sheet. The maximum system charging voltage parameter is the value for the maximum voltage at which the [[Energy storage|energy storage system]] will be charged. This value depends upon the [[DC system voltage]] and the energy storage system type. The specifications sheet or user manual for the battery that is used in the system should be consulted.
 Recommended maximum charging voltage values for a Trojan AGM battery at 25°C<ref name="trojanagm2"> Trojan Battery Company - Specifications sheet for AGM batteries https://www.trojanbattery.com/pdf/AGM_Trojan_ProductLineSheet.pdf</ref> (it is recommended that values at the upper-end of a manufacturers range are used):