WHAT ENERGY CONTROL & STORAGE SYSTEM?
There are now three ways to manage & store the energy from your solar panel(s)
Simple Controllers
They work fine and are easily installed connected directly to the solar panels and then to batteries, but capacity is limited to a modest 60A. They are therefore best suited to sailing yachts, narrowboats, and camper vans. Those needing greater power can have multiple simple controller units, but it quickly becomes easier and cheaper to use a hybrid controller/inverter that is designed for higher input and output. (See next article).
Our choice is the Epever range of which we have happy personal experience. The range goes from 20 to 60A. The solar input limit for 12v panels is 800w, but double that for 24v, and double again (3120w) if you have 24v panels connected in series, so 48v. All the units can be connected to 12v (or 24v), but only the 60A product can charge 48v batteries. All are lithium compatible.
Hybrid Controllers/Inverters
In a single compact package, they are
- a solar battery charger,
- mains inverter, and
- mains charger
They seem to us much preferable to a simple controller for all the markets that we serve. As well as providing mains power, they are also mains chargers – a fact often overlooked. This is valuable to users having occasional mains connections – sailing yachts, narrow-boats, and wide-beams for example, replacing one more bit of kit that needs looking after.
They cost less than the sum of their parts so we recommend them generally rather than a simple controller. Inverter capacities up to 5Kw are common and inexpensive but need 48v batteries. Mains output is limited to 1500w when used with 12v batteries. That is enough for most yachts, and camper vans, as well as most narrow-boats, but not really enough for our other markets. Click here to get your FREE copy of our Energy Use Calculator to work out what inverter capacity you need.
Power Stations
They work fine and are easily installed connected directly to the solar panels and then to batteries, but capacity is limited to a modest 60A. They are therefore best suited to sailing yachts, narrowboats, and camper vans. Those needing greater power can have multiple simple controller units, but it quickly becomes easier and cheaper to use a hybrid controller/inverter that is designed for higher input and output. (See next article).
Our choice is the Epever range of which we have happy personal experience. The range goes from 20 to 60A. The solar input limit for 12v panels is 800w, but double that for 24v, and double again (3120w) if you have 24v panels connected in series, so 48v. All the units can be connected to 12v (or 24v), but only the 60A product can charge 48v batteries. All are lithium compatible.
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