SolarBox stocks and sells PWM and MPPT solar charge controllers. They are both widely used to charge batteries with solar power. The PWM controller is a switch that connects a solar array to the battery. This switch pulls down the array’s voltage to near that of the battery.
The MPPT solar charge controller is more sophisticated (and more expensive). It adjusts its input voltage to harvest the maximum power from the solar array, then transforms this power to supply the varying voltage requirements of the battery plus its load. MPPT generally outperforms PWM in a cold to temperate climate. However, both controllers offer similar performance in a subtropical to tropical climate...
Compare Solar Charge Controllers by Brand
If you’re in the market for an MPPT solar regulator, it’s worth comparing different brands to find the best one for your needs. Explore our Outback Power, Schneider, AERL, and Victron MPPT solar charge controllers below.
Victron MPPT
Victron’s SmartSolar MPPT regulators feature built-in Bluetooth. This allows you to monitor the solar performance via the Victron Connect App on your phone, perform firmware updates, change the charging profile and much more!
Outback Power
The FLEXmax family of solar charge controllers is the latest innovation in Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) charge controllers from OutBack Power. The innovative FLEXmax MPPT software algorithm is continuous and active, increasing your photovoltaic array’s power yield by up to 30% compared to non-MPPT controllers.
Thanks to active cooling and intelligent thermal management cooling, FLEXmax charge controllers can operate at their full maximum current rating in ambient temperatures as high as 104°F (40°C).
Schneider
The Conext™ 100 A, 600 VDC MPPT solar charge controller offers optimum system performance for DC-coupled solar and storage installations. This controller allows for easy, flexible installation of large PV arrays.
With up to 6 kW of charging power and allowance for oversized arrays, the MPPT 100 is ideal for residential grid-tied self-supply and off-grid systems. However, it is scalable for larger installations. The MPPT 100-600 offers faster installation and a lower balance of system costs with two string installations. This solar charge regulator is compatible with Conext XW and SW storage inverter solutions.
AERL
AERL’s CoolMax SRX solar charge controllers feature over 35 years of MPPT innovation. The range offers a superior tracking algorithm with an ultra-low loss, high-efficiency thermal design backed by our Australian factory warranty and local support.