Solar panels usage has grown in the past years and is now used to provide houses with power. A solar panel takes advantage of the energy produced by the sun, where the panel uses the technology of semiconductors to convert the energy from sunlight to electric energy to supply the house.
Batteries can be used to operate solar panels used in homes and houses; the voltage of the solar panel should be compatible with the voltage of the battery if the two voltages are not suitable for each other, for example, if the solar panel voltage is higher than the battery you will need to lower it down to avoid problems.
How To Reduce Voltage From Solar Panel?
You can use many options to reduce the voltage from a solar panel; however, the easiest way to reduce the voltage is to use either a step-down converter or a buck converter. You can also use an MPPT charge controller; meanwhile, the other ways are a junction box or a resistor.
- How To Adjust Voltage Using an MPPT Charge Controller
The MPPT charge controller or the maximum power point tracking charge controller is considered the best solar charge controller to buy. This is due to the quality of the MPPT charge controller, which it can make the voltage between the battery and the panel suitable.
The MPPT charge controller’s main task is ensuring the solar panel is providing the maximum amperes and efficiency. As a result, the MPPT charge controller uses a dynamic mechanism to ensure the voltage of the panel and the battery are suitable.
The matching of the two voltages in the MPPT charge controller is the differentiating point between it and any other device used; therefore, if you can afford it, don’t hesitate and buy it as it will not only match the voltage of the panel and the battery. It will also increase the amperes and the efficiency of the solar panel.
How To Install an MPPT Charge Controller
- Connect the charge controller to the battery you are using.
- Connect the charge controller’s negative terminal to the battery’s negative terminal, then connect the charge controller’s positive terminal to the battery’s positive terminal.
- Connect the battery’s negative cable to the terminal of the battery, then connect the battery’s positive cable to the terminal of the battery.
- At the back of the panel, look for the connectors of the MC4 cables, then connect the positive cable of the adapter to the positive cable and connect the negative cable of the adapter to the negative cable. ( Make sure to avoid making the exposed wires touch each other while doing this step.)
- The last step is to connect the charge controller to the panel.
- How To Adjust Voltage Using a Step-Down Converter
The step-down converter works the same way as an MPPT charge controller, where it steps down or lowers the voltage to make it match the voltage of the battery. The difference between an MPPT charge controller and a step-down converter is the price; the converter is more affordable than the controller.
The lower price of a step-down converter is that it’s not as reliable as the MPPT charge controller; the way of installing the converter is similar to the MPPT charge controller. The converter will have ports that should be connected to the solar panel and the battery.
After setting up the converter, you must get a screwdriver and a multimeter to adjust the voltage. First, connect the multimeter to measure the voltage; after you see the reading, use the screwdriver to adjust the voltage. You will notice two button-like things have a circular shape; using the screwdriver, screw them to get the voltage you want.
How To Install a Step-Down Converter
- Connect the step-down converter to the battery you are using.
- Connect the step-down converter’s negative terminal to the battery’s negative terminal, then connect the step-down converter’s positive terminal to the battery’s positive terminal.
- Connect the battery’s negative cable to the terminal of the battery, then connect the battery’s positive cable to the terminal of the battery.
- At the back of the panel, look for the connectors of the MC4 cables, then connect the positive cable of the adapter to the positive cable and connect the negative cable of the adapter to the negative cable. (Make sure to avoid making the exposed wires touch each other while doing this step.)
- The last step is to connect the step-down converter to the panel.
- How To Adjust Voltage Using a Resistor
A resistor can be used to adjust the voltage of the solar panel; this can be done by connecting two resistors in series and using the output voltage from the middle point between the two resistors. For example, if you have a panel of 24 volts, you can use two resistors to lower the voltage to half its value.
You will need to calculate the value of the resistors you will use to lower the panel’s voltage. You can do this through the following equation R1 x V-(Reduced) = R2 x [V-(Panel) – V-(Reduced)]. The R1 stands for the resistance of the first resistor, and the R2 stands for the resistance of the second resistor.
The V-Panel is the voltage of the panel you are using, the volt you want to reduce; meanwhile, the V-Reduced is the voltage you want to get in the end. After calculating the value of the two resistors, you will need to connect them in series. Then, connect the solar panel positive terminal to one of the series systems.
The last step is to make a connection from the middle point between the two resistors. The voltage of the connection is the reduced voltage you will be using. This method is more suitable for people with experience in electric circuits and resistors.
- How To Adjust Voltage Using a Junction Box
This method is suitable for people with experience in electronics; if you don’t have the required experience, don’t attempt using this method. You can use any previous methods, like an MPPT charge controller, a step-down converter, or a resistor.
The idea of this method is to switch the setup of the solar panel; solar panels are designed from two parts connected to each other in a series connection. Therefore, you will need to use a junction box to switch the connection from series to parallel one, which means a lower voltage.
This method can damage your solar panel if used incorrectly; therefore, before using this method, you need to have the required experience; otherwise, you can end up destroying your solar panel.
What is The Best Method To Reduce The Voltage of a Solar Panel?
You can reduce the voltage of solar panels using four ways, but the best way to use which has the lowest risks is using an MPPT charge controller. Unfortunately, some people think that if you can’t afford to buy an MPPT charge controller, you should consider buying a compatible panel instead.
The step-down converter can be seen as a great and cheap method to reduce the voltage of your panel, but it has a downside. The weather can cause your voltage to fluctuate, which will result in losing the efficiency of your solar panel; therefore, if you are living in an area of continuously changing weather, this method is not for you.
The method of using resistors has the same issue as the step-down converter because they are fixed, so when the voltage fluctuates, this will also result in losing the efficiency of your panel. The last method is to use the junction box, but this method is full of risks and requires a person with high experience in electronics.
Conclusion
To sum up, the best way to reduce the voltage of a solar panel is by using an MPPT charge controller, which provides the best quality in matching the voltage of the battery and the solar panel. Another advantage of the MPPT charge controllers is that they ensure that the solar panel operates at its maximum efficiency.
Reducing the voltage of solar panels sometimes can be your only option if you can’t find a compatible panel for your battery. This can be done in many ways, like using a step-down converter, a resistor, or a junction box if you have an experience in electronics.
I am Inemesit Etim and I am honest, reliable, confident, and responsible in my work. I am a highly talented, detail-oriented creative content writer with 3+ years of experience writing helpful content that gives value to readers like you. My articles are a product of intense research, both from personal experiences and from reading through the experiences of others. I love home improvement and I am glad I can help you improve the quality of your home and living experience.
