What is a solar charge controller and why are they important?

A solar charge controller is one of the key components of a solar panel system with a battery, such as an off-grid system. Their main job is to act as a charge regulator for the electricity going into the battery bank from a solar array.

For instance, the charge controller ensures that batteries are not overcharged during the day and that they do not send their stored power back to solar panels at night.

One important distinction is that if you have a storage battery installed with your grid-tie home system, you do not need a charge controller. Typically, your solar inverter will do the job of maintaining your battery health. Charge controllers are best for off-grid use such as for an RV or a small, off-grid cabin