Difference between revisions of "Simplified PWM charge controller sizing and selection"

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====Step 1: Determine PV module power rating and series configuration====
 
====Step 1: Determine PV module power rating and series configuration====
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The chosen [[DC system voltage]] limits the choices of modules and configurations that are possible with a PWM charge controller. Below is a table of the number of modules that can be connected in series for each PV source circuit.
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The chosen [[DC system voltage]] limits the choices of modules and configurations that are possible with a PWM charge controller. Below is a table of the number of modules that can be connected in series for each PV source circuit depending upon the DC system voltage.
  
 
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{| class="wikitable" border=1
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|2
 
|2
 
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*12 volt system = 1 × 36-cell module per PV source circuit.
 
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*24 volt system = 1 × 72-cell module per PV source circuit or 2 x 36-cell modules in series per PV source circuit.
 
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*48 volt system = 2 × 72-cell modules in series per PV source circuit or 4 x 36-cell modules in series per PV source circuit.
 
  
 
{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
 
{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
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This calculation will give a ''minimum'' number of PV modules - the result should always be rounded up. Different modules sizes and configurations can be explored to find the optimal design.
 
This calculation will give a ''minimum'' number of PV modules - the result should always be rounded up. Different modules sizes and configurations can be explored to find the optimal design.
 
{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
 
{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
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! style="width: 20%"|Minimum number of PV modules
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! style="width: 20%"|Number of PV modules
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! style="text-align:left;"| = [[Minimum PV source size|Minimum PV source size]] ÷ PV module power rating (Step 1)
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! style="text-align:left;"| = [[Simplified minimum PV source size|Temperature adjusted minimum PV source size]] ÷ PV module power rating (Step 1)
 
|}
 
|}
  
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{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
 
{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
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! style="width: 20%"|Minimum number of PV source circuits
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! style="width: 20%"|Number of PV source circuits
 
! style="text-align:left;"| = Minimum number of PV modules ÷ Number of modules in series (Step 1)
 
! style="text-align:left;"| = Minimum number of PV modules ÷ Number of modules in series (Step 1)
 
|}
 
|}
  
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====Step 3: Verify excess production====
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====Step 3: Total PV source current====
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During periods of poor weather or low solar resource, an off-grid PV system is designed to discharge the battery to a certain [[Energy storage sizing and selection#Step 1: Determine depth of discharge parameter|depth of discharge]] which can leave the [[Energy storage|energy storage system]] depleted. It is important that the energy storage system is brought back up to a full [[Energy storage#State of charge (SoC)|state of charge]] in short period of time or the [[Energy storage#Cycle life|cycle life]] of the batteries will be reduced. The PV array therefore must be sized to generate sufficient excess energy, while continuing to meet all of the power needs from the [[Load evaluation|load evaluation]].
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This calculation will give a minimum current rating to use as a basis for selecting the charge controller. The Isc rating of the PV module can be found on its specifications sheet. This value is multiplied by a required 1.25 safety factor to make sure the charge controller can handle periods of excessive current due to high irradiance.
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This step is only necessary for systems that will be used heavily for consecutive days (most systems). If a system is used lightly or infrequently then it will have ample time to recharge during days when it is inactive and this step is not necessary.
 
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For a system that is used heavily for consecutive days, it is recommended that the array be sufficiently sized to reach a full state of charge within 7 days or that the system incorporate a generator to ensure adequate charging.
 
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{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
 
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! style="width: 20%"|Proposed PV source low insolation production
 
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! style="text-align:left;"| = PV module power rating (Step 1) × Minimum number of PV modules (Step 2) × [[Minimum PV source size#Step 1: Deteremine PV source loss parameters|Total PV source loss parameter]] × [[Load and solar resource comparison|Design daily insolation]] × [[Minimum PV source size#Step 3: Charge controller efficiency parameter|Charge controller efficiency parameter]] × [[Minimum PV source size#Step 4: Energy storage efficiency parameter|Energy storage efficiency parameter]]
 
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|}
 
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{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
 
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! style="width: 20%"|Daily excess production in Ah
 
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! style="text-align:left;"| = (Proposed PV source low insolation production - [[Load and solar resource comparison|Design daily watt-hours required ]]) ÷ [[DC system voltage]]
 
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|}
 
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{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
 
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! style="width: 20%"|Ah used at full depth of discharge
 
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! style="text-align:left;"| = [[Energy storage sizing and selection|Final Ah capacity]] × [[Energy storage sizing and selection#Step 1: Determine depth of discharge parameter|Depth of discharge parameter]]
 
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|}
 
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{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
 
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! style="width: 20%"|Time to reach full state of charge
 
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! style="text-align:left;"| = Ah used at full depth of discharge ÷ Daily excess production in Ah
 
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|}
 
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====Step 4: Verify charging current====
 
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Lead acid batteries last longer and perform better when they are regularly recharged with a current in a certain range that depends upon battery type. Flooded lead acid and gel batteries should be charged with current that is between .05-.13 (5-13%) of their C/20 rating.<ref name="trojanpaper"> Trojan Battery Company - User's Guide https://www.trojanbattery.com/pdf/TrojanBattery_UsersGuide.pdf</ref> AGM batteries can should be charged with a current that is between .05-.2 (5-20%) of their C/20 rating.<ref name="trojanpaper"/> If a system uses many loads during the day, this will limit the available charging current for the energy storage system and should be taken into account by increasing the PV source size.  Most designs should have a charge rate between 5-10% - closer to 10% if the system is used heavily during the day. It is necessary to consult the manual or manufacturer for recommended maximum and minimum charging currents.
 
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These calculations are performed with the Ah rating of the total energy storage system.
 
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It is necessary to check the minimum required charge current against the available charge current from the proposed PV source power rating.
 
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{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
 
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! style="width: 20%"|Available charging current
 
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! style="text-align:left;"| = [[PV module#Standard test conditions|Maximum power current (Imp)]] × Minimum number of PV source circuits (Step 2)
 
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|}
 
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{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
 
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! style="width: 20%"|Percentage of C/20 rate
 
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! style="text-align:left;"| = Available charging current ÷ [[Energy storage sizing and selection|Final Ah capacity]]
 
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|}
 
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If the number of PV modules does not meet the recommendations outlined above, increasing the PV source in size should be considered.
 
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====Step 5: Determine final number of PV modules====
 
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Determine a final number of modules and a PV source configuration that can meet the requirements of Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, and Step 4.
 
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{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
 
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! style="width: 20%"|Final number of PV modules
 
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! style="text-align:left;"| =
 
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|}
 
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{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
 
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! style="width: 20%"|Final number of PV modules in series
 
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! style="text-align:left;"| =
 
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|}
 
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{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
 
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! style="width: 20%"|Final number of PV source circuits
 
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! style="text-align:left;"| =
 
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|}
 
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====Step 6: Total PV source current====
 
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This calculation will give a minimum current rating to use as a basis for selecting the charge controller. The Isc rating of the PV module can be found on its specifications sheet.
 
 
{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
 
{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
 
! style="width: 20%"|Total PV source current
 
! style="width: 20%"|Total PV source current
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! style="text-align:left;"| = Final number of PV source circuits (Step 5) × [[PV module|Isc rating]] of chosen module (Step 1) × [[Irradiance safety parameter|Irradiance safety parameter]]
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! style="text-align:left;"| = Final number of PV source circuits (Step 2) × [[PV module|Isc rating]] of chosen module (Step 1) × 1.25
 
|}
 
|}
  
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====Step 7: Select a charge controller====
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====Step 4: Select a charge controller====
 
A single charge controller is the simplest and cheapest option, but for larger systems multiple charge controllers often are used in parallel. The final chosen charge controller should:
 
A single charge controller is the simplest and cheapest option, but for larger systems multiple charge controllers often are used in parallel. The final chosen charge controller should:
 
#Function at the [[DC system voltage]].
 
#Function at the [[DC system voltage]].
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#The charge controller(s) should have a total current rating that is larger than the minimum current rating (Step 6).
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#The charge controller(s) should have a total current rating that is larger than the minimum current rating (Step 2). Common charge controller current ratings: 4.5 A, 5 A, 6 A, 10 A, 12 A, 15 A, 20 A, 25 A, 30 A, 35 A, 40 A, 45 A, 50 A, 55 A, 60 A.
  
 
The result of the following equation should always be rounded up.
 
The result of the following equation should always be rounded up.
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{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
 
{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
 
! style="width: 20%"|Number of charge controllers
 
! style="width: 20%"|Number of charge controllers
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! style="text-align:left;"| = Total PV source current (Step 6) ÷ Chosen charge controller current rating
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! style="text-align:left;"| = Total PV source current (Step 3) ÷ Chosen charge controller current rating
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
====Step 8: Determine final PV source power rating====
 
====Step 8: Determine final PV source power rating====
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The total power rating of the PV source can be calculated by multiplying the power rating of the chosen PV module by the final number of PV modules (Step 5).
+
The total power rating of the PV source can be calculated by multiplying the power rating of the chosen PV module by the final number of PV modules (Step 3).
 
{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
 
{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
 
! style="width: 20%"|PV source power rating
 
! style="width: 20%"|PV source power rating
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! style="text-align:left;"| = PV module power rating (Step 1) × Final number of PV modules(Step 5)
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! style="text-align:left;"| = PV module power rating (Step 1) × Final number of PV modules(Step 3)
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|}
 
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====Step 9: Verify PV source and charge controller compatability====
 
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PWM charge controllers often 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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{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="width: 80%;"
 
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! style="width: 20%"|PV source and charge controller compatability
 
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! style="text-align:left;"| = Final PV source power rating must be ''less than'' the maximum PV source power rating of the charge controller
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
==Notes/references==
 
==Notes/references==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>

Revision as of 11:16, 19 January 2021

A PWM charge controller is rated to operate at a particular DC system voltage and maximum current. PV modules designed to work at the DC system voltage must be connected in parallel PV source circuits in order to achieve the minimum PV source size and the charge controller therefore must be sized to handle this amount of current. If the current rating of a PWM charge controller is exceeded, it can be damaged or destroyed.

Step 1: Determine PV module power rating and series configuration

The chosen DC system voltage limits the choices of modules and configurations that are possible with a PWM charge controller. Below is a table of the number of modules that can be connected in series for each PV source circuit depending upon the DC system voltage.

DC system voltage 36 cell module 60 cell module 72 cell module
12 V 1 — —
24 V 2 — 1
48 V 4 — 2
PV module power rating =
Number of modules in series =

Step 2: Determine proposed module configuration

This calculation will give a minimum number of PV modules - the result should always be rounded up. Different modules sizes and configurations can be explored to find the optimal design.

Number of PV modules = Temperature adjusted minimum PV source size ÷ PV module power rating (Step 1)

The final number of PV modules should always be larger than this value - the result should always be rounded up.

Number of PV source circuits = Minimum number of PV modules ÷ Number of modules in series (Step 1)

Step 3: Total PV source current

This calculation will give a minimum current rating to use as a basis for selecting the charge controller. The Isc rating of the PV module can be found on its specifications sheet. This value is multiplied by a required 1.25 safety factor to make sure the charge controller can handle periods of excessive current due to high irradiance.

Total PV source current = Final number of PV source circuits (Step 2) × Isc rating of chosen module (Step 1) × 1.25

Step 4: Select a charge controller

A single charge controller is the simplest and cheapest option, but for larger systems multiple charge controllers often are used in parallel. The final chosen charge controller should:

  1. Function at the DC system voltage.
  2. The charge controller(s) should have a total current rating that is larger than the minimum current rating (Step 2). Common charge controller current ratings: 4.5 A, 5 A, 6 A, 10 A, 12 A, 15 A, 20 A, 25 A, 30 A, 35 A, 40 A, 45 A, 50 A, 55 A, 60 A.

The result of the following equation should always be rounded up.

Number of charge controllers = Total PV source current (Step 3) ÷ Chosen charge controller current rating

Step 8: Determine final PV source power rating

The total power rating of the PV source can be calculated by multiplying the power rating of the chosen PV module by the final number of PV modules (Step 3).

PV source power rating = PV module power rating (Step 1) × Final number of PV modules(Step 3)

Notes/references

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