Off-grid solar power systems collect solar energy, convert it into electricity, and then store it in a battery so that users can get electricity from it when needed. In order to run efficiently, you need to charge the battery as much as possible. Optimizing battery performance doesn't just mean connecting the panel to the battery; you need to control the amount of power that goes into the battery.

There are different tools to do this. Of the options available, the most effective device to control the flow of power into your battery is an mppt solar regulator.

MPPT stands for maximum power point tracking, which is related to the solar cell itself.

Every solar cell has a point at which the output current (I) and voltage (V) reach the maximum output power of the cell.

How is this done?

The maximum power point tracking solar regulator will simulate the load required by the solar panel to achieve the maximum power of the battery.

The regulator will calculate at which point the battery will output the maximum power and derive the voltage and current output required to achieve the maximum power.

It will then calculate the load that must be simulated based on these voltage and current levels R=V/I.

The voltage regulator now receives the maximum power and will then adjust the output according to its design.

In the case of Redarc BCDC1240, the output is a 3-stage battery charging profile.

What good does MPPT do for me?

MPPT ensures that you can get maximum power from solar panels at any point in time.

It is particularly effective in low-light conditions.

These calculations result in the output of the maximum current at any point in time at the required voltage.

In the case of low light levels, it will compensate for low light levels and find new points where solar cells provide their maximum power output.