How to Choose the Right Components for Your Solar Power Battery System
Recharging batteries for a trolling motor, RV or even backwoods cabin is an efficient use of free, renewable energy from the sun. But charging times can vary greatly depending on a number of factors, including battery voltage rating, solar panel size and, of course, weather conditions. Before you choose your solar power battery system, we suggest you take a closer look at each component and how it will impact the time it takes to power your battery system.
Choosing Panel Size for Your Solar Battery System
Selecting the right size for your application comes down to determining the power you require versus the power the panel can deliver. Let’s say you want to power that backwoods cabin. A good place to start is to figure out your total electric consumption in a 24-hour period. The next step is to determine the total amount of direct sunlight your solar power system will receive. After you gather those numbers, you can take a look at our solar calculator to get a more exact determination of your power needs.
Benefits of a Solar Power System Controller
A simple way to avoid overcharging your solar panel batteries is to use controller. This component of your solar battery system essentially acts as an on-off switch, allowing power to pass through only when needed.
Another added benefit is that a controller can prevent battery discharge in low-light conditions. And when you’re relying on the power of the sun for charging, you’ll quickly see the advantage of a controller that keep what power your batteries have already accumulated.
For more information on solar power systems, check out our Knowledge Base article, Solar Info: The Down Low on Everything Up High.
