Solar power systems are often intricate and complex, with several different parts that all have to work together. But they don’t always do that efficiently. For example, solar panels and batteries.
The problem in this case is that the energy produced by the solar panels is not always consistent. Weather conditions such as cloudiness and temperature affect how much power is generated, and how fast. In addition, the rate of energy production is almost never the same as the rate at which the batteries charge. The result? A lot of wasted energy, which never makes it to the batteries.
To combat this, most systems have a MPPT charge controller, which helps regulate the energy produced and make sure it charges the batteries correctly and efficiently, with much less wasted energy. There are a lot of controllers on the market, and it can be hard to know which is the best one. We’ve brought together five of the best. Read on to learn more about them, and get our final recommendations at the end.
COMPARISON CHART
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EPEVER MPPT Solar Charge Controller
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MPPT Solar Charge Controller
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Renogy Rover 40 Amp
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Morningstar – Tristar 60A MPPT
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Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT 100
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Specification
Battery type: | Sealed, Gel and Flooded |
Battery Cell Composition: | Lead acid |
Item Weight: | 8.53 pounds |
Item Dimensions: | 17.75 x 9.75 x 6 inches |
Voltage Rating: | 12V-24V |
Max Input Voltage | 150V |
Maximum Current: | 40A |
The Epever controller is a strong, well-built controller that is designed for maximum efficiency. In fact, this model is advertised as having a high-tracking efficiency of at least 99.5%. What does that mean? It means that you get almost zero energy loss with this controller, which is saying something.
In addition, the Epever controller is easy to use, and can be used in a variety of systems, from whole-home and business applications all the way down to more personal systems. It works with a variety of batteries, including sealed, gel and flooded batteries, and has multiple load control modes. In other words, this controller is designed to work with you, regardless of the system you hook it to. You can even use the included PC hookup to monitor temperature changes and update firmware.
Best of all, this controller won’t break the bank, unlike many others on the market.
WHAT WE LIKE
Long story short: yes, the Epever controller is a good buy, for many reasons. It’s strong, efficient and easy to use in a variety of systems. The multiple load output modes allow you to use this controller many different ways, which means you’re definitely getting your money’s worth.
Even better, the Epever customer service and support center is second-to-none, which means if you run into sort of problem, they will bend over backwards to make sure you are happy and getting the most of out of your system
PROS
- Comes in a variety of sizes and ratings for many different systems
- High-tracking efficiency off 99.5%
- Multiple loud output modes
- Excellent customer service
CONS
- The max current output and voltage input might not be as high as comparable models
Specification
Battery type: | Sealed, Flooded, AGM, Gel and Lithium |
Battery Cell Composition: | Lead-acid |
Item Weight: | 4.93 pounds |
Item Dimensions: | 9.9 x 2.5 x 7.1 inches |
Voltage Rating: | 12V-24V |
Max Input Voltage: | 100V |
Maximum Current: | 40A |
This is another Epever controller, although it’s a different system than the first one. However, with the Epever name you can expect a high-quality charge controller, and this system does not disappoint in that respect.
This controller comes with a smart recognition feature which auto-detects whether it’s connected to a 12V or 24V system, which is just one of the many safety features on this model. In addition, the included temperature sensor on the RTS remote temperature cable detects overheated components and shuts off the controller if it senses an overload.
All in all, this is another versatile charge controller that can hook up to a variety of systems and charge several different types of batteries, working for you no matter your system.
WHAT WE LIKE
This package comes with several components that, when put together, form a very good charge controlling system. The Tracer 4210AN, MT50 and RTS are very efficient and powerful, and packed with safety features to prolong the life of your system and batteries.
PROS
- Highly efficient
- Full of safety features including temperature sensors which automatically shut the system off when needed
- Excellent customer support
CONS
- Some users report that the system can fail prematurely. This is not a common occurrence, but it should still be noted
Specification
Battery type: | Sealed, Flooded, AGM, Gel and Lithium-Iron Phosphate |
Battery Cell Composition: | Lead-acid |
Item Weight: | 2.4 pounds |
Item Dimensions: | 6.81 x 9.37 x 2.85 inches |
Voltage Rating: | 12V-24V |
Max Input Voltage: | 100V |
Maximum Current: | 40A |
Unlike the Epever MPPt, the Renogy is a much smaller, all-in-one component. Still, it comes packed with features and similar ratings that let you know it can handle whatever you need.
This system boasts a high tracking efficiency rating of 99%, and a conversion efficiency rate of 98%, which means very little energy is lost with this system. It is compatible with a variety of systems and battery options, including sealed, gel, flooded and Lithium. In addition, it has a wide array of protective features such as overcharging, over-discharging and overload protection to help keep you safe.
WHAT WE LIKE
One of the things we like about this Renogy controller that we haven’t seen in some of the other controllers is its wireless features. You can communicate and monitor in real time with the included Bluetooth hookups and the Renogy DC Home app, which lets you see how the system is doing, make changes and even shut it off if needed with just the touch of a button.
Overall, this is a good system, and you could do much worse than the Renogy charge controller.
PROS
- Bluetooth and wireless app give you mobile control to monitor and control from anywhere
- Compatible with 12V and 24V systems as well as a variety of batteries
- Highly efficient tracking (99%) and conversion (98%)
CONS
- Some features only unlock with a password, which is not provided without customer support
- Screen is not back-lit, which means it’s hard to read in dark areas or at night
Specification
Battery type: | Unlisted |
Battery Cell Composition: | Unlisted |
Item Weight: | 10.55 pounds |
Item Dimensions: | 11.5 x 5.2 x 5.6 inches |
Voltage Rating: | 12V-24V-48V |
Max Input Voltage: | 150V |
Maximum Current: | 60A |
While the Renogy tries to be a small, efficient all-in-one unit that can work in just about any system, large or small, the Morningstar is on the other end of the spectrum. This one is made specifically for larger units. So, if you are looking to charge a boat or RV, this one is probably not for you. However, this larger design makes it perfect for large-scale systems with greater power needs. Of course, the price tag is scaled up to match, as well.
Just looking at the specs, you can see that this unit is rated to handle over 50% more power than the other systems we’ve seen so far. It also comes with some other features as well, including an ethernet system that lets it “talk” to other controllers if hooked into the same system. PC-compatibility lets you take further control, programming features you would like. It also can store up to 256 days of information, allowing you to track system performance and changes over time.
WHAT WE LIKE
If you have a larger system to deal with, you want something that can handle the power. If you need more than one controller due to multiple panel stations, then you need something that can communicate across the different sections of your grid. That’s where this Morningstar controller stands out. In addition, if you have a larger, more powerful system you’re going to need a larger controller like this.
PROS
- Rated up to 48V and 60A, much larger than many other charge controllers
- Ethernet capability allows this controller to talk to others if hooked into the same system
- Long-term performance monitoring is available
CONS
- Many users report problems with the ethernet system
- Customer service can be tricky
- Not very portable if you’re looking to work with a smaller setup
Specification
Battery type: | Unlisted |
Battery Cell Composition: | Unlisted |
Item Weight: | 3.23 pounds |
Item Dimensions: | 5.12 x 7.48 x 2.76 inches |
Voltage Rating: | 12V-24V |
Max Input Voltage: | 100V |
Maximum Current: | 50A |
The Victron controller acts very similarly to the other controllers on this list, so we don’t need to tell you what it does. In many ways, it’s similar to the others, although honestly for the asking price it doesn’t have many of the bells and whistles you would expect.
It’s power capabilities are pretty average, although the 50A rating is a bit higher than the industry-standard 40. It hooks up to either 12V or 24V systems, and can tell the difference, making it less worrisome for you. Still, if you don’t know what you’re doing, Victron recommends a professional installation.
WHAT WE LIKE
One other nice feature here is the Bluetooth-pairing function, allowing you to pair the controller with your phone for real-time monitoring and adjusting. Stay in the know about how your system is working, and be on top of any problems that arise before they become serious issues.
PROS
- Rated up to 50A, a bit higher than comparable models
- Bluetooth-pairing for monitoring and adjusting in real-time
CONS
- Price is a bit steeper than comparable models
- Some users report a problem with undercharging, where the unit thinks the batteries are full, but in reality they are not
Conclusion
As you can see, the lineup of charge controllers is complicated, because there is such a wide range to choose from. What works best for you depends a lot on your current system and future needs, so our recommendation might not be perfectly in line with you’re thinking. However, when you look at everything, including available features and price, it’s hard to beat the Epever MPPT Solar Charge Controller.