The Role of Solar Charge Controllers in Protecting Batteries and Optimizing System Performance

If you are a solar PV system owner, you must be aware of the critical accessories that are necessary for the health of your system. One such equipment is a solar charge controller which regulates the charging and discharging of your batteries and also controls the power output. VEMC is the leading solar energy company based in Mumbai and in this blog, we tell you about the role that a solar charge controller plays in protecting and enhancing the performance of your solar power system.

Functions of solar charge controllers

  • Overcharge protection: 

For starters, a solar charge controller protects your batteries from overcharging. As soon as the voltage exceeds the protection voltage, the battery is automatically disconnected. 

  • Deep discharge prevention: 

Converse to overcharge protection, solar charge controllers also prevent deep discharge of your batteries. When the voltage of the battery falls below the over-protection voltage, the solar charge controller turns off the battery output to prevent deep discharge, only to restore the power supply when the battery is recharged.

  • Battery health monitoring: 

A solar charge controller is connected to the same battery terminals and can therefore keep track of the voltage to determine the state of the charge. By constantly monitoring the voltage of the battery, a solar charge controller keeps up-to-date about its health

Types of charge controllers and their suitability

Lets now talk about the two main types of solar charge controllers and the scenarios they best fit into.

  • Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) controllers: 

These are traditional solar charge controllers which operate by connecting directly from the solar array to the battery bank. These controllers are smaller and are suitable only to operate at battery voltage. These must be used with arrays matched with battery voltage.

  • Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controllers: 

These, on the other hand, are more advanced as compared to the PWM controllers and operate at maximum power voltage. As a result, the output produced is maximized which is great in cold conditions when the voltage of the solar array is much higher than the battery voltage.

Using proper settings for maximum energy harvest and battery lifespan

The right charge controller settings can bring rich dividends when it comes to power output as well as the lifespan of your battery. Different types of batteries work well with different settings. Some of the most important settings that need proper configuration for best results are:

  1. Battery floating charging voltage
  2. Battery over-discharging protection voltage
  3. Battery over-charging protection voltage
  4. Charge controller capacity
  5. Maximum charging current
  6. System voltage

If you’re a solar panel owner, you must make sure you have a quality solar charge controller in place to have maximum harvest and also prolong the working life of your batteries. For more information

on solar charge controllers, feel free to call us on 022 43436655 or email us at marketing@vemc.co.in. We are the leading solar power company based in Mumbai.

10 Solar Energy Hacks for the Next-Generation Solar Power User

If you own a solar power system, you would want to get the maximum out of it. Luckily, there are plenty of hacks to enhance the efficiency and output of your solar panels. These range from choosing the right type of panel to maximizing their exposure. VEMC is the leading solar power company based in Mumbai, and in this blog, we share 10 solar energy hacks that every next-gen solar power user ought to know.

  1. Use monocrystalline grade A panels

How well your solar panel performs depends a great deal upon the quality of the panels. Monocrystalline Grade A panels are by far the best when it comes to efficiency and productivity.

  1. Increase efficiency using anti-reflection coating

These allow cells to absorb more rays rather than reflect them back. Without these, upto 30% radiation is wasted. 

  1. Get a professional to install your solar panels

Ensure that the installer you have hired possesses the required skills and certifications. Do a background check and find out what others are saying about their past installations.

  1. Ensure the right orientation

In the northern hemisphere, the best orientation for maximum exposure is the geographic south. On the other hand, if you live in the southern hemisphere, it is best to have your panels face the north. If thats not possible, have them face the west as the last resort as this is the direction of the sunset. You can expect more value from energy collected later in the day.

  1. Track the sun with your panels

Trackers enable you to follow the sun as it passes across the sky. While these are most common in commercial solar farms, smaller ones can also be used domestically.

  1. Don’t use too many devices simultaneously

Use your stored power for a longer time period by avoiding too much drain in a short span. As much as possible, stagger your usage over a longer time horizon.

  1. Clean with plain water and sponge 

Dust and debris can block the solar radiation from reaching your panels. To wipe it away, use clean water and a non-abrasive sponge. This will avoid unnecessary scratches on the cell surface. Also, do not use pressure washers to avoid damage. In case there is any stuck-on grime, just use some dish detergent and water.

  1. Use LED bulbs

LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy as compared to incandescent bulbs. By installing LED bulbs in your house or facility, you can reduce energy consumption and prolong the supply significantly.

  1. Use maximum utilities during the day

When you’re using your devices such as dishwashers during the day, you mostly use solar energy. This enables you to avoid the costs of power from the grid.

  1. Use solar power for innovative devices

Besides the usual solar panels, use your solar power in innovative ways. These include having solar cookers, solar geysers, heaters etc. This will allow you to take a huge burden off your conventional supply.

For more information on how best to use your solar energy, feel free to get in touch with VEMC by calling on 022 43436655 or emailing us at marketing@vemc.co.in. We are the best solar company based in Mumbai.

6 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Solar Metering

Solar Power Company

If you are generating more solar energy than you are consuming, the excess electricity is diverted to the grid and you are compensated for it by deducting the units you purchase from the grid. This simple concept is known as Net Metering.

As any top solar company will tell you, solar energy is gaining a lot of traction the world over and producers must be aware of Net Metering to make the most of their investment in solar power systems. VEMC is a leading Solar EPC Company based in Mumbai.

In This Blog, We Explain 6 Reasons Why You Simply Shouldn’t Ignore Solar Metering:

Lower Electricity Bill

With net metering, you only pay for the ‘net’ amount of electricity that you consume, that is, total electricity imported from the grid minus electricity exported from your solar power system. Besides, the extra electricity units can be used during those hours when sunlight isn’t enough such as at night.

Easy Installation With Fewer Components

There is no need to have a backup generator in net-metered solar power systems. The electricity grid itself acts as one. The lack of elaborate equipment and components makes the net-metered solar system an absolute winner. It also means that the initial costs of installing solar power systems come down significantly. For expert advice on this, get in touch with VEMC –– a top solar EPC company in its segment.

Lesser Environmental Impact

Solar energy is the most preferred unconventional source of energy, especially in terms of environmental impact. But when net metering is added to the equation, it further boosts the environmental benefits as it encourages users to switch to solar energy. Net metering, therefore, helps remove or reduce the reliance on conventional and polluting sources of energy like fossils.

Increased Financial Credit

Net metering provides owners of solar power systems an opportunity to generate revenue by selling the excess units to the grid. This acts as a financial motivator and helps owners increase their financial credibility by creating an asset that becomes a perpetual source of income.

Cost-Effective and Hassle-Free Maintenance

Net metering does away with components like batteries and generators –– the two that require the highest attention and maintenance. Thus, with net metering in place, your solar power systems become more cost-effective and have hassle-free maintenance.

Lesser Network Issues

With the increased number of consumers exporting their excess units to the electricity grid, the chances of blackouts and outages are successively reduced. Issues such as transmission line congestion can be significantly reduced thanks to net metering. An expert solar EPC company like VEMC will be able to tell you more about this.

Conclusion

If you want to install a solar system or have any queries regarding metering, do not hesitate to reach out to us. We will be happy to help you leverage net metering to make your place of work a shining example of the effectiveness of renewable energy. We are a leading Solar Power Company and can be reached at 022 43436655 or emailed at marketing@vemc.co.in.

Solar Success Story: How VEMC Solved A Case of Space Constraint for Solar Installation in a High-Rise Building

Making the switch from electrical to solar energy, which is the more sustainable and efficient alternative especially, in the long run, is often easier said than done. This is where VEMC, a leading solar power plant company in India with over 72 years of expertise in the field, can assist you and provide you with smart solutions. In this blog, we take a look at how VEMC solved a case of space constraint for solar installation on the roof of a medium high-rise building at Prince Care Zinnia, a residential property by Prince Care Realty. The building developers were looking for a way to reduce energy consumption while adopting a more reliable source of energy and the commissioned solar plant does exactly that, with an estimated annual average electricity production of 42900 kWh.

Challenge

The main challenge in installing solar panels at this site was a shortage of area on the roof of the residential building. Because of this, solar placement was difficult and required considerable modifications in the standard design and fabric of the solar structure. However, we were able to come up with a solution after a proper assessment of the situation.

Our Solution

The idea was to overcome space constraint challenges and ensure that the area was used as efficiently as possible while adhering to the client’s other requirements, and set up a 33 kWp solar plant on the roof of the residential building at Prince Care Zinnia. 

Execution

We had to take accurate rooftop measurements and make significant fabrications to the basic solar structure. These were necessary to ensure that the client’s need for clear passage, space for other installations and other requirements could also be accommodated.

We studied the computer-aided design (CAD) of the roof layout to fit the required solar plant capacity in the available area. Shadow analysis was done on the finalised CAD drawings to mitigate the effect of shadows falling on the solar modules.

We installed the solar modules using hot-dipped galvanized solar structures placed on civil foundations. Hot-dip galvanization prevents the rusting of the steel posts and extends the life of the system. The civil foundations are anchored with the structures to provide good foundation support.

Impact

There were multiple benefits of installing the 33 kWp solar plant at the site. These included energy savings of a whopping 30.36 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year to generate the same amount of energy — just by avoiding fossil fuels! Further, we were careful to adhere to a plan that made the most economical use of the space on the rooftop of the high-rise building, thereby fulfilling the client’s needs for a smart source of solar energy.

VEMC is a well-established solar energy company in Mumbai, and a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services. With decades of industry experience, VEMCO Solar was able to successfully execute the Prince Care Zinnia project and deliver superior-quality results. VEMCO Solar is a market leader in solar solutions — be it solar plant erection, procurement, commissioning, net metering, or electrical connections. If you have any requirements in this space, please feel free to contact us at +91 98199 07445. We would be happy to help you out.