MPPT Maximum Power Point Tracking
A MPPT Charge Controller is a electronic component which enables you to get the most of your solar panel while charging your battery. This is done by ensuring that the voltage of the solar panel is always kept at its maximum potential
Batteries work within a narrow voltage range, for example a 12 volt battery would accept a charge around 13.5 volt while charging. Your solar panel normally works at a higher voltage. For example a panel with 36 solar cells would have a voltage of around 18-22 volts and typically between 2-8 amps. As your amps (current) do not increase when the solar panels voltage drops to the batteries voltage, a MPPT can be very useful. It will constantly adjust the voltage it works at and maximise the volts in the solar panel circuit.
Because the MPPT allows the panel to work at a higher voltage, and while your amps remain more of less the same, you effectively gain the difference between the batteries charge voltage and the MPPT operating voltage. This could be a increase of, for example 5 volts. So at 5 amps and 5 volts, you effectively would get 25 more watts from your panel with an effective MPPT.
However, beware, there are fake MPPT's out there, such as the WellSee which are plain voltage regulators. Go for the big European and American brands such as Steca and MorningStar
MPPT is also a common component in Grid tie inverters, the increased performance will increase your output in a similar way as with the battery charge controller. In grid tie inverters the voltage tracking range is usually much greater.
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