| When you install a solar power system, you want to | | | | that is in off mode until the battery reaches |
| ensure that you choose the correct solar panel | | | | overvoltage, then it switches on to short out the solar |
| regulator. Any solar panel energy system needs solar | | | | panel until the battery voltage is correct again. The |
| panels to generate power and batteries to store that | | | | panel is then switched on again. This is a cheap |
| power. A regulator works to ensure the batteries | | | | alternative, however there is a price with regards to |
| operate within a reasonable range. | | | | performance. The battery is running between |
| The use of a regulator serves two purposes: the first | | | | overcharging and full load delivery which reduced it's |
| is to protect the battery from overcharging when | | | | performance over time. If the battery were to fail |
| there are days with excess sun, and the second is to | | | | altogether, it would cause the regulator to continually |
| prevent the battery from discharging on days when | | | | switch, and damage your costly equipment. |
| there is too little sun. Either conditions will, over time, | | | | It is not necessary to purchase a regulator, there are a |
| decrease the effectiveness of your battery and | | | | number of schematics available online to help you |
| cause it to malfunction before it's natural lifetime. | | | | construct your own solar panel regulator. These |
| The battery is important to the solar energy system, | | | | typically require a bit of electrical knowlege and the |
| without it you would have place for the energy | | | | ability to convert a schematic into electrical |
| captured by your solar panels to be stored. It is | | | | components. If you don't know what a transistor is, |
| important to keep the battery in good condition so you | | | | likely you want to purchase your own regulator, or get |
| can have a reliable power source at all times. | | | | assistance from a professional solar electrician. If you |
| Regulating what goes in and comes out improved | | | | do, then you will have the luxury of choosing from the |
| battery life and has even doubled battery life for some | | | | different designs which might be linear or shunt |
| individuals. | | | | regulators, or even choosing a high-voltage regulator |
| There are a few different ways to regulate the | | | | with varities of different designs. Always keep in mind |
| energy stream from your panels, the two most | | | | that safety if os prime concern when working with |
| common ways are to use a linear series regulator, or | | | | electricity so research the instructions you have well. |
| a shunt regulator. With a linear series regulator | | | | When it comes to maintenance, both types of |
| provides a relatively stable voltage regulator, however | | | | regulators work with little needed maintenance. They |
| it is more expensive, larger, and may drop voltage drop | | | | require airflow around the compenent and should be |
| when there is considerable sun. | | | | placed in the shade. Other than that, check the wires |
| The majority of shunt regulators are on-off regulators. | | | | from time to time and you are set to have a long life |
| These solar panel regulators have a type of switch | | | | out of your solar panel regulator. |