connect solar panels grid
Question of the solar panels
I need to use solar panels for charging lead-acid batteries in an application outside the network. I understand that solar panels have a maximum open circuit voltage and a maximum intensity in any resistance, and can optimize the output power by controlling the load (resistance). If so, the connection is only 12 volt solar panels to a lead acid battery inefficient? Are there a different type of battery will help to optimize energy production?
The answer is quite complicated, but if you are planning to build only a very small system, most likely, the group will be small and weak. In this case, the connection of a panel is 18 volts open circuit directly a lead-acid battery is probably the most efficient way to load. Drivers are loaded you can buy, some of whom actively participate in the tracking maximum power point to charge the battery. Unfortunately, these drivers can eat 5 or 10 Watts, only to have another small percentage of efficiency load. If your panel is only 50 watts, first, you can see that this is not good business. If you are taking seriously panels (hint: price> $ 500 each), then he could benefit from a charge controller with MPPT (maximum power point tracking). Lead-acid, either a cell flooded like your car battery, or AGM, are the standard for solar energy storage. Lithium ion is better in many respects, is less sensitive to temperature, discharge status, and are also lighter. Loading them is also easier with the right channels. The problem is that cost about $ 1,500 per kWh, compared with less than one tenth the price of lead-acid batteries.
